A new type of phenyl substituted ormosils as a matrix for oxygen-sensitive
micro-optodes is described. The new ormosils combine features of classical
polymers such as solubility in organic solvents and those of sol-gel glasse
s such as mechanical stability and a porous structure. They make possible a
simple and fast fabrication of microsensors with reproducible properties.
The influence of the conditions during the polymerisation process (precurso
r composition and thermal treatment) on the sensing properties has been stu
died in detail. Oxygen-sensitive films with ruthenium(II)-tris-(4,7-dipheny
l-1,10-phenanthroline) and platinum(II)-octaethylporphyrin as indicators we
re characterised with respect to their mechanical and photophysical propert
ies. Photostability, oxygen sensitivity, response behaviour and signal inte
nsities of the sensing films and the micro-optodes were examined. Micro-opt
odes based on the new sensing materials are fast responding, photostable an
d can be produced with a sufficient batch to batch reproducibility. Compare
d to previously described oxygen micro-optodes, where polystyrene was used
as immobilisation matrix, the new sensors can be autoclaved and show favour
able properties such as a faster response and a higher sensitivity. They po
ssess many potential applications in medical and biological research.