Functionalization of exposed core fibers with multiligand binding molecules for fluorescence based ion sensing

The results of functionalizing exposed-core optical fiber with multiligand binding sensor molecules for ion detection is presented. We show that the capacity of the sensor molecules to bind multiple ligands is negated when the sensor molecules are covalently bound, making the method ineffective where multiligand binding fluoroionophores are needed. An alternate functionalization method using thin film polymer doped with multiligand binding fluoroionophores is shown, demonstrating the ability for ion detection in a case where multiligand binding is needed. This one step functionalizing process for optical fiber sensing applications does not require surface attachment functional groups and has the potential to be inline with fiber drawing so that long lengths of functionalized fiber can be fabricated.