Polymer Engineering and Science, Vol.47, No.10, 1666-1670, 2007
Rapid sensing of trace ionic substances with the novel porous monolith type ion exchanger
Biological and chemical sensor with a rapid response in microlevel test is required for health and environmental monitor. A novel sensing due to porous ion exchanger with three-dimensional acceptor has been first attempted to develop a high-performance sensor. This porous monolith type ion exchanger has an open-cellular monolith structure with 5-50-mu m diameter pores. The trace amount of inorganic ions dissolved in aqueous solutions can be quantitatively determined with the impedance given by the monolith, which attracts and adsorbs the ions rapidly. We have succeeded in detecting ions with a concentration as low as 10(-7) mol. The porous ion exchanger has a potentiality as a high-performance device for biological and chemical sensing.