A high-sensitivity chemical sensor based on titania coated optical-fiber long period grating for ammonia sensing in water

Abstract

Two highly sensitive ammonia sensors, formed by depositing coatings composed of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) onto the cladding of an optical fibre sensing platform, are evaluated. A long period grating (LPG) of period 111 μm was fabricated in the core of an optical fibre so that the LPG operates at or near the phase matching turning point (PMTP). The first coating that was investigated was composed of TiO₂ nanoparticles deposited by liquid phase deposition. The sensor showed high sensitivity and allowed low concentrations of ammonia in water (0.01 ppm) to be detected with a response time of less than 60 sec. The second coating was composed of TiO₂ with subsequent layers of poly (allyamine hydrochloride) (PAH), and SiO₂ nanospheres infused with a sensitive element composed of porphine. The ammonia adsorption to the porphine compound led to the changes in the LPG’s transmission spectrum and allowed 0.1 ppm of ammonia in water to be detected with a response time of less than 60 sec.