Measurement of Local Sodium Ion Levels near Micelle Surfaces with Fluorescent Photoinduced-Electron-Transfer Sensors

The Na+ concentration near membranes controls our nerve signals aside from several other crucial bioprocesses. Fluorescent photoinduced electron transfer (PET) sensor molecules target Na+ ions in nanospaces near micellar membranes with excellent selectivity against H+. The Na+ concentration near anionic micelles was found to be higher than that in bulk water by factors of up to 160. Sensor molecules that are not held tightly to the micelle surface only detected a Na+ amplification factor of 8. These results were strengthened by the employment of control compounds whose PET processes are permanently on or off.