Ion-Selective Membrane Barrier for Stable Porous Sensor Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Analytical devices using porous substrates face a loss of measurement sensitivity due to plasticizer seepage and diffusion into the substrate during long-term storage, especially under high temperatures, affecting ion concentration responsiveness.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a protective layer in the porous substrate near the ion selective membrane to inhibit plasticizer penetration, using materials like polyimide or fluorine resin to seal the interface between the membrane and substrate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a porous substrate is used for the analytical device, then ease of manufacture and low cost are improved, but measurement sensitivity deteriorates during long-term storage due to plasticizer seepage
Solution Approach 1:
A protective layer is introduced as an intermediary between the porous substrate and the ion-selective membrane. This protective layer prevents direct contact between the plasticizer in the membrane and the porous substrate, thereby blocking the capillary-driven seepage of plasticizer while maintaining the overall structure and function of the analytical device.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective layer is applied in advance to prevent the harmful capillary action from occurring. By creating this barrier before storage, the device is pre-protected against plasticizer loss that would otherwise occur during long-term storage, eliminating the need for special storage conditions.
2Reliability
If the ion selective membrane contains liquid plasticizer for ion transport, then measurement function is improved, but plasticizer seepage into the porous substrate occurs during storage
Solution Approach 1:
The protective layer serves as a mediator that separates the liquid plasticizer-containing membrane from the porous substrate. It allows the membrane to retain its liquid plasticizer for proper ion transport function while preventing the plasticizer from migrating into the porous substrate through capillary action.
3Adaptability or versatility
If high temperature storage conditions are applied, then device portability and storage flexibility are improved, but plasticizer diffusion is accelerated and measurement sensitivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The protective layer is applied in advance to counteract the accelerated plasticizer diffusion that occurs at high temperatures. By blocking the capillary pathways before temperature-induced diffusion begins, the device can be stored in flexible conditions including high temperatures without losing measurement sensitivity.
4Volume of moving object
If the porous substrate structure is used, then device miniaturization is improved, but capillary phenomenon accelerates plasticizer seepage
Solution Approach 1:
The protective layer acts as an intermediary that eliminates the harmful capillary phenomenon in miniaturized devices. By coating the porous substrate or forming a non-porous barrier layer, it prevents the capillary-driven plasticizer seepage that would otherwise be accelerated in the small-scale geometry of miniaturized analytical devices.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Maintains measurement sensitivity and stability of potential readings for selected ions over extended periods, even without low-temperature storage requirements.
Implementation Method 1
the seeping of the plasticizer is accelerated by the capillary phenomenon of the porous substrate
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A purpose is to provide an analytical device capable of maintaining good measurement sensitivity even after long-term storage and obtaining a proper potential for selected ions. Provided is an analytical device comprising: a porous substrate; an electrode formed in an inside of, on a surface of, or from the inside to the surface of the porous substrate; an ion selective membrane covering the electrode; and a protective layer, wherein the ion selective membrane comprises a plasticizer; and the protective layer is formed in the inside of the porous substrate as close to at least a portion of the ion selective membrane and comprises a component inhibiting penetration of the plasticizer.