Probes for chemical analysis and related methods

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to probes for analyzing a chemical composition, and related methods of analyzing a chemical composition and of manufacturing probes for analyzing a chemical composition. A benefit of the disclosed probes and methods can include luminescent chemical sensor arrays for rapid, accurate, portable and economical qualitative and quantitative analysis of a broad range of chemical compositions. A benefit of the methods disclosed herein can include the rapid, simple, and accurate analysis of trace chemicals present in chemical compositions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A probe for analyzing a chemical composition comprising:
 an array of luminescent chemical sensors mounted on a platform,   wherein the array of luminescent chemical sensors includes at least one detection sensor, at least one control sensor, or a combination thereof,   wherein the at least one detection sensor, if present, includes a combination of two or more detection lanthanide containing phosphorous compounds mounted onto a detection area of the platform;   wherein the at least one control sensor, if present, includes at least one control lanthanide containing phosphorous compound mounted onto a control area of the platform; and   wherein the platform is adhered to a base layer.   
     
     
         2 .- 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method of analyzing a chemical composition comprising:
 providing a probe, wherein the probe includes an array of luminescent chemical sensors mounted on a platform, wherein the array of luminescent chemical sensors includes at least one detection sensor, at least one control sensor, or a combination thereof, wherein the at least one detection sensor, if present, includes a combination of two or more detection lanthanide containing phosphorous compounds mounted onto a detection area of the platform; wherein the at least one control sensor, if present, includes at least one control lanthanide containing phosphorous compound mounted onto a control area of the platform; and wherein the platform is adhered to a base layer;   contacting the probe with the chemical composition for a test duration;   exposing the probe to a test range of light; and   measuring a color and an intensity of luminescence of the array of luminescent chemical sensors.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the array of luminescent chemical sensors includes at least one control sensor and at least one detection sensor, wherein the at least one control sensor includes at least one control lanthanide containing phosphorous compound mounted onto a control area of a control platform and the at least one detection sensor includes a combination of two or more detection lanthanide containing phosphorous compounds mounted onto a detection area of a detection platform, wherein the control platform and the detection platform are adhered to the base layer. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , provided there is at least one chemical substance in the chemical composition,
 further comprising identifying the at least one chemical substance in the chemical composition based on a measurement of the color and the intensity of luminescence of the array of luminescent chemical sensors; or   measuring a concentration of a chemical substance in the chemical composition based on a measurement of the color and the intensity of luminescence of the array of luminescent chemical sensors.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the chemical composition is in a liquid or a vapor phase. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising, pre-scanning the array of luminescent chemical sensors prior to contacting the probe with the chemical composition for the test duration. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one chemical substance includes deuterium, and the chemical composition includes water. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising, measuring the concentration of the at least one chemical substance in the chemical composition by comparing a ratio of wavelengths of luminescence emitted by a test sample to wavelengths of luminescence emitted by a concentration standard. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising,
 provided the probe further includes an identification tag mounted on the base layer;   identifying the probe by scanning the identification tag.   
     
     
         23 . A method of manufacturing a probe for analyzing a chemical composition comprising:
 mounting an array of luminescent chemical sensors on an upper surface of a platform, wherein the array of luminescent chemical sensors includes at least one detection sensor, at least one control sensor, or a combination thereof; wherein the at least one detection sensor, if present, includes a combination of two or more detection lanthanide containing phosphorous compounds mounted onto a detection area of the platform; wherein the at least one control sensor, if present, includes at least one control lanthanide containing phosphorous compound mounted onto a control area of the platform;   mounting at least two lining strips to the top and bottom of an upper surface of the platform; and   adhering a lower surface of the platform to a base layer to form a probe.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising cutting the platform, base layer and at least two lining strips to form a plurality of probes. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein mounting the array of luminescent chemical sensors on the upper surface of the platform includes spray coating the at least one detection sensor, the at least one control sensor, or a combination thereof, onto the platform; or further comprising heating the platform during or after spray coating; or wherein adhering the lower surface of the platform to the base layer includes ultrasonic welding. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the platform is formed from a binder free borosilicate microfiber material, a binder free glass microfiber material, a binder free quartz microfiber material, a cotton material, or a combination thereof; or the base layer is formed from a plastic material; or the at least two lining strips are formed from a plastic material.