Optically responsive sensor surfaces based on chlorophyll derivatives
OPAS-consortium

Tkachenko Nikolai, TUT, Helaja Juho, UH

The consortium project focuses on development and extensive study of novel type of photonic metamaterials formed by optical fibers functionalized by a self-assembled layer of optically sensitive biomolecules, chlorophyll derivatives. To achieve its objective the project is divided on four work packages: (1) synthesis of novel chlorophyll derivatives sensitive to environment; (2) self-assembled monolayers of the compounds on quartz surfaces, including fiber surface; (3) thorough photochemical characterization of the compounds and their nanoassemblies; (4) investigation of environmental effects on the photochemistry of the molecular films. The fundamental research at the latter stage will be aimed at establishing mechanisms of light-chromophore and chromophore-environment interactions. This knowledge will be used for sensor development will focus on two classes of sensing i.e. ion sensors (e.g. cyanide or fluorine anion) and organic substrate (aminoacid, oligosaccharide) sensors. The project aims to combine extreme photophysical quantum efficiency met in biological material, chlorophylls, with the robustness of quartz fibers in novel sensing technology development.

The consortium is formed by two research groups with complementary expertises. The research group at University of Helsinki (Dr. J. Helaja) will lead molecular design, synthesis and modeling part of the project. The photochemical characterization, structure studies, sensor functionality and fiber optics measurements will be carried out at Tampere University of Technology (Prof. N. Tkachenko).