Reflective epoxy resin/chitosan/PAA composite-functionalized fiber-optic interferometric probe sensor for sensitive
Minglu Yan1, Ruiduo Wang1,2, Yang Li3
1State Key Laboratory of Photon-Technology in Western China Energy, International Collaborative Center on Photoelectric Technology and Nano Functional Materials, School of Physics, Institute of Photonics & Photon Technology, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, People's Republic of China. wangruiduo@opt.ac.cn.
The Analyst
|February 1, 2023
Summary
A novel label-free chemical sensor using a Fabry-Perot interferometer coated with chitosan/polyacrylic acid multilayer films demonstrates high sensitivity for detecting metal ions like Ni2+, Zn2+, and Na+. This advanced platform offers real-time monitoring and ease of measurement for various chemical applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Optical Sensing
Background:
- Developing sensitive and label-free chemical sensors is crucial for real-time environmental and industrial monitoring.
- Fabry-Perot (F-P) interferometers offer a robust platform for optical sensing due to their sensitivity and ease of fabrication.
- Chitosan (CS) and polyacrylic acid (PAA) are biocompatible polymers with potential for functionalizing sensor surfaces.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a highly sensitive, label-free chemical sensing platform for detecting various metal ions.
- To develop and characterize a novel Fabry-Perot interferometric sensor coated with multilayer chitosan/polyacrylic acid films.
- To evaluate the sensor's performance for real-time monitoring of Ni2+, Zn2+, and Na+.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a Fabry-Perot (F-P) interferometric cavity using a single-mode fiber and epoxy resin (ER).
- Coating the ER surface with multilayer chitosan (CS)/polyacrylic acid (PAA) as the sensitive film.
- Numerical simulation and experimental evaluation of the F-P cavity structure and sensing parameters.
- Analysis of metal ion sensing using the Langmuir adsorption model and surface characterization via SEM and EDS.
Main Results:
- The sensor exhibited high sensitivity for detecting Ni2+ (9.95 × 10-4 nm ppb-1), Zn2+ (2.31 × 10-4 nm ppb-1), and Na+ (4 × 10-4 nm ppb-1).
- Sensing results were consistent with the Langmuir adsorption model and correlated with surface atom percentage analysis.
- The fabricated sensor demonstrated ease of fabrication, real-time modulation of cavity length, and stability.
Conclusions:
- The ER/CS/PAA multilayer film-coated F-P sensor is a highly sensitive and label-free platform for detecting metal ions.
- The sensor offers real-time monitoring, ease of measurement, and stability, making it suitable for chemical applications.
- This work presents a remarkable analytical platform for advanced chemical sensing.
