Fiber-optic fluorescing sensors for nitrate and nitrite detection

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Fiber-optic sensors enable remote chemical analysis with broad applications in chemistry and biology.
• Fluorometric methods are suitable for detecting substances at parts per million/billion levels.
• Nitrate and nitrite analysis is crucial in various scientific fields.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report initial results in developing fiber-optic chemical sensors.
• To analyze nitrate and nitrite anions using fluorescence modifications.
• To establish simple instrumentation for fiber-optic sensing.

Main Methods:

• Utilized fluorometric detection for analyzing nitrate and nitrite anions.
• Developed extrinsic active optical fibers via silanization (APTES) and chemical dye linkage.
• Designed a dedicated optical device for fiber-optic measurements.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated nitrate detection via fluorescein fluorescence inhibition.
• Showcased nitrite detection through enhanced fluorescence with 2,3-diaminonaphthalene.
• Presented data on detection thresholds, coating efficiency, and sensor stability.

Conclusions:

• Successfully developed fiber-optic sensors for nitrate and nitrite detection.
• The developed sensors show promise for sensitive and remote chemical analyses.
• Further characterization of detection limits, efficiency, and stability is ongoing.