Amperometric ion sensors based on laser-patterned composite polymer membranes

A polymer membrane for the selective amperometric transfer and sensing of molecular ions has been designed and characterised. The membrane was formed from two polymer layers, a supporting film of polyethylene terephthalate on which an electrolyte film containing polyvinylchloride is cast. The polyester layer has a laser-etched pattern of circular micro-holes in one region. These hole structures are arranged in a rectangular geometry and measure 22 μm in diameter with separation distances of 105 μm and 120 μm. The polyvinylchloride underlayer is a composite system comprised of a 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether plasticising solution containing an electrolytic salt of tetrabutylammonium tetrakis-(4-chlorophenyl)borate. In this way, an array of micro-interfaces between an analyte solution and a PVC gel electrolyte is formed and used as a liquid|liquid interface for the amperometric monitoring of ion transfer reactions. The membrane was characterised in terms of the voltammetric response to choline transfer. The study includes an examination of the fabrication methodology, materials composition and membrane structure.