Lanthanide Polymer Detection Without Aromatic Antennas

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for measuring organic polymer concentrations using lanthanide(III) ions are limited by the need for known concentrations of molecules and the use of aromatic structures as 'antennas' to enhance luminescence, which restricts the detection of organic polymers without these features and requires high lanthanide ion concentrations.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the admixture of lanthanide(III) ions with organic polymers containing two or more chelating groups like carboxylates, sulfonates, phosphates, and amines, allowing for time-gated luminescence measurement to determine polymer concentration, even at low lanthanide ion concentrations and without the need for aromatic structures, using europium, terbium, or dysprosium ions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If aromatic structures are used as antennas to enhance luminescence, then detection sensitivity is improved, but the method becomes restricted to polymers containing aromatic groups and requires high lanthanide ion concentrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidapplicability to different polymer types

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the requirement for aromatic antenna structures from the detection system. By using charged polymers that can directly coordinate with lanthanide ions through their functional groups (carboxylates, sulfonates, phosphates, amines), the method removes the dependency on aromatic groups, thereby expanding applicability to a broader range of polymer types while maintaining detection sensitivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the detection mechanism from aromatic antenna-based energy transfer to direct coordination complex formation between charged polymer functional groups and lanthanide ions. This parameter change in the detection mechanism allows the use of lower lanthanide ion concentrations while achieving comparable or improved sensitivity, and enables detection of polymers without aromatic structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If high concentrations of lanthanide ions are used, then luminescence signal strength is improved, but the detection limit and sensitivity are worsened due to background interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveluminescence signal strengthVSAvoiddetection limit

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The charged functional groups on the polymer molecules act as intermediaries that selectively coordinate lanthanide ions. This intermediary role allows the polymer to concentrate and stabilize lanthanide ions at the detection site, enabling the use of lower overall lanthanide concentrations while maintaining strong localized luminescence signals and reducing background interference

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the traditional antenna-mediated energy transfer mechanism with a direct coordination chemistry approach. By substituting the aromatic antenna system with direct lanthanide-polymer complex formation, the method achieves efficient energy transfer without requiring high lanthanide concentrations, thereby improving detection limits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 significantly reduces the detection limit of organic polymers, enabling measurement over a wide concentration range with lower lanthanide ion concentrations and allows for the quantification of charged organic polymers in samples, improving detection sensitivity and specificity.

Implementation Method 1

detecting signal derived from the luminescent lanthanide(III) ion with time-gated luminescence measurement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLuminescence: Luminescence

Implementation Method 2

using time-resolved luminescence detection method

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime-resolved luminescence detection: Luminescence

Implementation Method 3

the organic polymer includes two or more groups capable of chelating with the lanthanide(III) ion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChelation: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS10156558B2Detection and quantification of polymeric analytes using fluorescent lanthanide detection not relying on charge transfer from polymer aromatic groups

Publication Date: 2018.12.18 STERLING SPECIALTY CHEM HLDG UK LTD

AI summary

A method for determining samples including one or more organic polymers by mixing them with lanthanide(III) ions and detecting the signal of the lanthanide(III) ion chelated with the organic polymer.