Abstract
Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) integrated within optical fibres show great potential as sensor materials in the field of sensing, utilizing the Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) principle. This study presents a straightforward, cost-effective, and replicable approach for producing permanent in-situ embedding of AuNPs with nanocavities on the surface of optical fibres. The process involves chemical vapour etching (CVE), followed by gold sputtering and isothermal heat treatment. The analysis conducted using High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), confirmed the presence of nearly spherical AuNPs embedded on the surface of the optical fibre, with an average diameter of 60 ± 5 nm. Additionally, the detection of two distinct plasmon absorption peaks at 567 ± 5 nm and 620 ± 5 nm using a Fibre Optic Spectrometer further validated the presence of AuNPs. To verify the existence of nanocavities surrounding the AuNPs, Field Emission Transmission Microscopy (FESEM) was employed, along with subjecting the AuNPs embedded fibre to three different NaCl solutions of varying concentrations. The results supported the presence of a nanocavity encapsulating the AuNPs. A proposed mechanism was put forth to explain the spectral behaviour resulting from the creation of the nanocavity. This specialty optical fibre is expected to have broad applications in the development of SPR-based chemicals and biosensors, as it facilitates close interaction between the AuNPs and analytes through the nanocavity surrounding the AuNPs on the fibre surface. The fabrication process demonstrated excellent repeatability, with strong adhesion of AuNPs to the optical fibre surface, and no leaching even after repeated use. Thus, we believe that this fabrication method is an exceptional technique for permanently incorporating AuNPs into various glass-based optical waveguide materials for SPR-based sensing applications.
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