Patent ID: 7226563

Claim:
An ion-detecting sensor for detecting a target ion in a sample, comprising (i) a self-plasticizing copolymer matrix comprising polymerized units of methacrylate monomers and an ion exchanger comprising a functionalized C-derivative of a closo-dodecacarborane anion, wherein said functionalized ion exchanger is grafted onto the copolymer through covalent linkages; and (ii) an ionophore for detecting the target ion, wherein said methacrylate monomers comprise a monomer having an R 1 pendant alkyl group and a monomer having an R 2 pendant alkyl group, wherein R 1 is any of C 1-3 alkyl groups and R 2 is any of C 4-12 alkyl groups, wherein the self-plasticizing copolymer has a glass transitional temperature (T g ) of about or below 0° C.