Potentiometric Detection of K+ Ions Using Gramicidin-Ionophore/Lipid Bilayer Assembly on Polyaniline Electrode

Organic electronics have their advantage over traditional silicon or inorganic electrodes in their easy processing and flexibility. For instance, polyaniline has shown to be promising electrode material for various sensing opportunities including as a use of pH-meter. As the ion-to-electrode transduction may be optimal in these organic materials with high surface area and controllable electric double layer, selectivity has often been approached with the use of ionophores. We have inserted a gramicidin ionophore in a lipid bilayer assembled on polyaniline surface and measured successfully K+ ion concentration potentiometrically.