Design and Applications of Liquid Crystal Biophotonic Sensors for Ion Detection. Issue 9 (29th May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Qu, Ruixiang; Li, Guoqiang
• Is Part Of: Advanced photonics research. Volume 3:Issue 9(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-05-29
• Subjects: active optical components -- biopotonic sensors -- ion sensors -- liquid crystal sensors -- nanophotonic materials -- optical sensing; Photonics -- Periodicals; 621.36505
• DOI: 10.1002/adpr.202200007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2699-9293

Abstract

Abstract : Liquid crystals (LCs) are nanophotonic materials which can interact with light in the molecular scale. While the LCs are widely used in various displays, last decade has witnessed emerging applications of the LCs for nondisplays. Based on the unique stimuli–responsive property and optical property, the applications of the LCs in the field of sensors are widely explored. In addition, ions are widely distributed in nature and bionts, playing critical roles in many physiological activities and ecological cycles. Appropriate amount of ions is beneficial to the human body, while the excess ions can cause irreversible damages. As a result, a variety of LC sensors are proposed to detect the ion concentration in both body fluids and water samples. This article reviews the design principles, applications, and existing problems of the LC ion sensors. The geometries, alignments, and optical signals of the sensors, which can guide the design of the devices, are first discussed. Afterward, two types of LC ion sensors aiming at detecting metal ions and nonmetallic ions, respectively, are illustrated. Finally, the current challenges and potential development directions of the LC ion sensors are introduced briefly. Abstract : Aiming at detecting ions in nature and bionts, various efforts are devoted to investigating the liquid crystal (LC) ion sensors. Herein, the design principles and applications of the LC ion sensors are discussed in detail. The current challenges and potential development directions are also introduced briefly.