Optical sensor arrays: one-pot, multiparallel synthesis and cellulose immobilization of pH and metal ion sensitive azo-dyes

A sixteen component array of acid–base and metal ion sensors was synthesized and covalently immobilized onto a transparent cellulose-based membrane. Dye synthesis and cellulose dyeing were carried out in one-pot, parallel, microscale reactions not requiring any isolation or purification steps. In addition, pH and metal ion optical sensing properties of the sixteen component array have been tested using a high-throughput screening based on digital imaging analysis.