Akira Yamada, Satoshi Mohri, Michihiro Nakamura, and Keiji Naruse

Abstract:
In previous papers we have reported on the construction of a flow-through-type differential pH sensor probe for a fully automated pH measurement system. Our flow-through-type sensor probe is quite different from the dipping-type sensor probes now in common use. To realize highly accurate and high-speed measurements with our probe, it is essential to optimize measurement conditions such as the volume of the sample solution suctioned into the probe, the washing time and related parameters, and the measurement time required for stabilization of the electrode potential. In this paper we describe a method to derive suitable measurement conditions for a pH measurement system equipped with a flow-through-type differential sensor probe consisting of pH-sensitive Field-Effect Transistors (pH-FETs). After establishing the optimum measurement conditions, we confirmed the performance of our system for the pH measurement of 26 ¦Ìl solutions over a 106 sec cycle. The measurement error with diluted low-buffering-capacity solutions was on the order of 0.01 pH.

Keywords: ISFET, automation, optimization, differential pH sensor probe, 96-well microplate