The computational methods in the development of a novel multianalyte calibration technique for potentiometric integrated sensors systems

In recent years, integration and miniaturization of ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) have brought many benefits resulting in the possibility of simultaneous determination of the ions concentration in small volume samples. One of the key problems related to the preparation of potentiometric integrated sensors systems (PISSs) is a calibration procedure due to the necessity to calibrate each particular sensor separately. The main aim of the research was to develop a novel calibration method for PISSs fabricated with the use of an all-solid-state technology, which has been compared with other types of sensor calibration technique. The proposed algorithm concerns the method of calibration solutions composition determination for miniature ion-selective sensors before measuring in biological samples especially human saliva samples. This article also compares the parameters of ion-selective sensors for two types of PISSs, including ISEs based on gold (Au) and glassy carbon (GC) electrodes. In addition, a series of measurements was performed using PISS with Au-ISEs in samples of human saliva, which were preceded by different types of sensor calibration and compared with the results obtained with the clinical analyzer. Moreover, the effect of the viscosity of calibration solutions on the ISE parameters and the lifetime of the sensors were investigated.