Review on Hydrogel-based pH Sensors and Microsensors

• Main Authors: Hans-Jürgen P. Adler, Karl-Friedrich Arndt, Jens Lienig, Stephan Klatt, Georgi Paschew, Andreas Richter
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2008-01-01
• Series: Sensors
• Subjects: pH sensor; microsensor; stimuli-responsive hydrogel; phase transition.
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/8/1/561/

Stimuli-responsive hydrogels are materials with great potential for development of active functionalities in fluidics and micro-fluidics. Based on the current state of research on pH sensors, hydrogel sensors are described qualitatively and quantitatively for the first time. The review introduces the physical background of the special properties of stimuli-responsive hydrogels. Following, transducers are described which are able to convert the non-electrical changes of the physical properties of stimuli-responsive hydrogels into an electrical signal. Finally, the specific sensor properties, design rules and general conditions for sensor applications are discussed.