Enhanced sensing properties of optical ammonia sensor based on electrospun fibers containing Eosin-Y and silver nanoparticles

Abstract

This study presents a highly sensitive fluorescence intensity-based gas sensor specifically designed to detect ammonia. Eosin-Y fluorescent dye and silver nanoparticles are incorporated into` cellulose acetate to fabricate fibers membrane using the electrospinning technique, which serves as the foundation for the optical ammonia sensors. Afterward, this sensor is illuminated by a 405 nm LED for monitoring purposes, resulting in changes to both intensity and wavelength. The sensitivity of the optical ammonia sensor is evaluated by comparing the fluorescence intensity recorded for pure nitrogen with that for 1000 ppm ammonia, expressed as the ratio I0/I1000 ppm. The sensor's ability to detect ammonia is evaluated based on the differences in fluorescence intensities between nitrogen and ammonia environments. The proposed optical ammonia gas sensor utilizes Eosin-Y molecules as indicator compounds. Notably, the sensor, constructed from an electrospun fiber membrane, demonstrates an exceptional response of 50.9 at 1000 ppm in an ammonia gas environment at room temperature, representing the highest response achieved to date in an ammonia gas sensor utilizing Eosin-Y molecules. Experimental findings highlight the enhanced sensitivity of the proposed Eosin-Y-containing electrospun fibers compared to traditional Eosin-Y-based dyes for optical ammonia sensing. The development of an optical ammonia sensor utilizing electrospun fibers embedded with fluorescent dye presents a promising opportunity, offering practical applicability due to its cost-effectiveness and straightforward manufacturing process. Finally, the innovative optical ammonia sensor approach can be applied across various fields, including environmental, industrial, and medical applications.