Ru(II) Complex Based Optical Oxygen Sensors

A short review of recent investigations of the authors on the Ru(II)-based optical oxygen sensors is presented focused on the influence of: (i) type of the supporting matrix (SiO2 or polymethylmetacrylate based), (ii) precursors used (tetraethoxysilane, ormosil-type alkoxosilanes, methylmetacrylate, polymethylmetacrylate), (iii) method applied for the matrix synthesis, (iv) method for films deposition (dip- and spin coating), (v) chromophore leaching as a result of storage of the films in potentially aggressive media (water, diluted acidic and basic solutions) and (vi) working environment nature on the: a) films morphology, b) the analytical characteristics of the sensing component (linearity of the Stern-Volmer dependence, sensitivity of the device, reproducibility of the results), c) admissible parameters (pH, temperature) of the working medium. Special attention is paid on the effect of sol-sonication (as a tool against dye microcrystallization). The results obtained permit optimal precursors, sol preparation conditions and coating procedure to be recommended for gas and for dissolved oxygen measurement, respectively. The sonication of the sol ensures a rather significant improvement of the sensor performance. The strong quenching of the chromophore in the case of in-situ polymerization of the methylmetacrylate is observed.The sensing films are successfully applied for oxygen determination in natural lake waters and beer.