Method for the detection of analytes via luminescence quenching

Abstract

A sensing element for use in the detection of an analyte based on a luminescent response, the sensing element comprising a luminescent triaryl amine compound provided as a coating on a substrate.

1 . A sensing element for use in the detection of an analyte based on a luminescent response, the sensing element comprising a luminescent triaryl amine compound provided as a coating on a substrate. 
     
     
         2 . A sensing element according to  claim 1 , wherein the coating has a thickness of up to 100 nm. 
     
     
         3 . A sensing element according to  claim 1 , wherein the coating is provided on the internal surface of a capillary tube. 
     
     
         4 . A sensing element according to  claim 3 , wherein the capillary tube has an internal diameter of from 1004 μm to 1 mm and a length of up to 100 mm. 
     
     
         5 . A sensing element according to  claim 1 , wherein the triaryl amine compound comprises a conjugated molecular structure bound to each of three aryl groups of a triaryl amine moiety. 
     
     
         6 . A sensing element according to  claim 1 , wherein the triaryl amine compound is represented by formula (I): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         in which each Ar represents an aryl moiety, R 1 , R 2 , R 3  are the same or different conjugated molecular structure comprising one or more aryl or heteroaryl groups linked directly together or via one or more alkenyl or acetylenyl groups, X 1 , X 2 , X 3  are independently selected from conjugated moieties and/or nitrogen atoms linking Ar with respective groups R 1 , R 2 , R 3  and x, y, and z are independently 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4. 
       
     
     
         7 . A sensing element according to  claim 6 , at least one of R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  is a dendron. 
     
     
         8 . A sensing element according to  claim 7 , wherein one or more of R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  is the same or different group of formula:
   -(DENDRON)-B   in which DENDRON represents a conjugated dendritic molecular structure comprising a plurality of chain branches each of which terminates with a distal aryl or heteroaryl group, and B represents an optional surface group attached to the distal aryl and/or heteroaryl group terminating a chain branch.   
     
     
         9 . A sensor device for the detection of an analyte based on luminescent response, the sensor device comprising a sensing element as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 . A sensor device according to  claim 9 , comprising an excitation source to supply electromagnetic radiation that interacts with the triaryl amine compound, a light detector for receiving light from the triaryl amine compound, a component that allows the output of the light detector to be visualized or otherwise represented for interpretation and one or more temperature control elements for regulating and detecting the temperature of parts of the device. 
     
     
         11 . A method of detecting an analyte, which method comprises:
 (i) allowing a luminescent compound comprising a triaryl amine moiety to interact with the analyte and measuring the luminescent properties of the compound in the presence of the analyte;   (ii) detecting a difference between the luminescent properties measured in step (i) and the luminescent properties of the compound prior to measurement of luminescent properties in step (i); and   (iii) determining whether the analyte is present based on the difference in luminescent properties detected in step (ii).   
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11 , comprising:
 (a) exciting a luminescent compound comprising a triaryl amine moiety and measuring the luminescent properties of the compound;   (b) allowing the compound to interact with the analyte and measuring the luminescent properties of the compound in the presence of the analyte;   (c) detecting a difference between the luminescent properties measured in steps (a) and (b); and   (d) determining whether the analyte is present based on the difference in luminescent properties detected in step (c).