Cu2+-ISFET type microsensors based on thermally evaporated p-tert-butylcalix[9 and 11]arene thin films

Large size odd-numbered calixarenes were used for the first time as ionophoric agents for the functionalization of ISFET microsensors and EIS structures through thermal evaporation process. Both calixarenes have shown a nernstian sensitivity over three decades towards only copper (II) activities. Very low selectivity coefficients were observed for K+ and Ca2+ whereas Cd2+ and Pb2+ (less than 10−3) can be considered as interfering ions. Lifetime of around three months for the microsensors were obtained.