Lanthanide Ion Detection of Organic Polymers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current analytical methods using luminescent lanthanide chelates are sensitive to heavy metals, leading to quenching and gross analytical errors, especially in samples containing copper, which complicates the detection of organic molecules with chelating groups.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of lanthanide(III) ions in the form of salts like europium chloride, combined with time-gated luminescence measurements, allows for the detection and quantification of organic polymers with chelating groups such as carboxylates, sulfonates, and amines, even at low concentrations, without the need for aromatic antenna groups, and can differentiate between charged organic molecules in the presence of other substances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If luminescent lanthanide chelates with aromatic antenna groups are used for detection, then detection sensitivity is improved, but heavy metals cause quenching and analytical errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the aromatic antenna groups from the detection system. Instead of using traditional lanthanide chelates with aromatic structures that are sensitive to heavy metal quenching, the invention uses lanthanide ions complexed solely with aliphatic chelating groups (EDTA, DTPA, H4IDOPA), thereby removing the vulnerable aromatic component while retaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces aliphatic chelating groups as intermediary molecules that mediate between the lanthanide ion and the detection process. These aliphatic ligands (EDTA, DTPA, H4IDOPA) serve as protective intermediaries that bind the lanthanide ion without introducing aromatic structures, thus preventing heavy metal quenching while enabling luminescence detection
2Device complexity
If conventional fluorescence methods are used, then detection is simplified, but time resolution and homogeneous assay capability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temporal parameter of the detection system by utilizing the long luminescence lifetime of lanthanide ions (microsecond to millisecond range) compared to conventional fluorescence (nanosecond range). This parameter change enables time-resolved detection, allowing separation of the analyte signal from short-lived background fluorescence, thereby improving time resolution while maintaining homogeneous assay capability
3Illumination intensity
If high concentration of lanthanide ion is used, then signal intensity is improved, but interference from heavy metals and sample complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of heavy metals into a beneficial selective detection mechanism. By using aliphatic chelating groups that are not quenching-sensitive, the method allows heavy metals to be detected through their ability to compete for binding sites on the chelating groups, transforming the quenching problem into a selective detection opportunity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the lanthanide ion concentration to a specific range (10^-6 to 10^-3 M) that balances signal intensity with reduced heavy metal interference. This parameter optimization, combined with the use of aliphatic chelating groups, achieves sufficient luminescence signal while minimizing the quenching effects that plague conventional high-concentration approaches
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
This approach enables accurate quantification of organic polymers with multiple chelating groups at low lanthanide ion concentrations, reducing interference from heavy metals and allowing for precise analysis of samples with complex compositions.
Implementation Method 1
admixing the sample and lanthanide(III) ion, wherein the total concentration of the sample substances in the sample is below 10% by weight and the concentration of the lanthanide(III) ion is below ≤ 10 mM
Implementation Method 2
detecting signal of the lanthanide(III) ion, wherein the lanthanide(III) ion is admixed in form of lanthanide(III) salt with time-gated luminescence measurement
Implementation Method 3
at least one of the sub-methods comprises a time resolved luminescence measurement comprising (i) admixing the sample and lanthanide(III) ion... (ii) detecting signal of the lanthanide(III) ion with time-gated luminescence measurement
Data Source
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AI summary
This invention relates to a method for examining samples including one or more organic polymers including two or more groups selected from carboxylates, sulfonates, phosphates, phosphonates, carboxamides and amines. The method includes two or more sub-methods wherein at least of one the sub-methods includes quantifying one organic polymer with the aid of lanthanide(III) ions.