Textile-based sampling for potentiometric determination of ions

• Development of textile-based sampling coupled with potentiometric ion sensors.
• Determination of analyte in micro-volume clinical samples.
• Determination of pH in environmental samples containing very little moisture.
• Low-cost method to screen textiles for utilities in on-body sensing applications.

Potentiometric sensing utilizing textile-based micro-volume sampling was applied and evaluated for the determination of clinically (Na+, K+, Cl–) and environmentally (Cd2+, Pb2+ and pH) relevant analytes. In this technological design, calibration solutions and samples were absorbed into textiles while the potentiometric cells (ion-selective electrodes and reference electrode) were pressed against the textile. Once the liquid, by wicking action, reached the place where the potentiometric cell was pressed onto the textile, hence closing the electric circuit, the potentiometric response was obtained. Cotton, polyamide, polyester and their blends with elastane were applied for micro-volume sampling. The textiles were found to influence the determination of pH in environmental samples with pH close to neutral and Pb2+ at low analyte concentrations. On the other hand, textile-based micro-volume sampling was successfully applied in measurements of Na+ using solid-contact sodium-selective electrodes utilizing all the investigated textiles for sampling. It was found that in order to extend the application of textile-based sampling toward environmental analysis of ions it will be necessary to tailor the physio-chemical properties of the textile materials. In general, textile-based sampling opens new possibilities for direct chemical analysis of small-volume samples and provide a simple and low-cost method to screen various textiles for their effects on samples to identify which textiles are the most suitable for on-body sensing.

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