Electrical behavior of ZnO-valinomycin coated Ag electrode for the detection of K+ in blood

Abstract

ZnO and ZnO-valinomycin coated over Ag substrates were prepared by chemical wet and dry technique. ZnO film was grown along (101) direction due to the implication of valinomycin with it. Fibre type of micrographs of ZnO-valinomycin having length 8-10 mu m and average diameters of 0.5 mu m have been observed under scanning electron microscope. A comparative electrical studies have been carried out in between ZnO coated Ag substrate and ZnO-valinomycin coated Ag substrate to identify the suitability of the electrode. ZnO-valinomycin coated film on Ag substrate shows a very good response for K+ sensing in comparison to the ZnO coated film on Ag substrate. The increased surface area of the ZnO due to the presence of valinomycin is the prime reason for the good sensing response. This is the reason why ZnO-valinomycin coated over Ag substrate is considered for the detection of K+ in animal blood. The electrical studies clearly establish that ZnO-valinomycin coated Ag substrate is suitable to detect a small percentage of K+ ions in the blood.