ZnO Coated Optical Fiber for Alcohol Sensing Applications

Abstract

Plastic optical fiber sensing that coated with ZnO is developed and its interaction with ethanol and methanol solution is investigated. ZnO is synthesized sonochemically by using the bath type sonicator. The optical properties such as transmittance, absorbance and refractive index of ZnO is determined by using ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer. Then, the cladding of plastic optical fiber (POF) is etched by using acetone solution, sand paper and deionized water. The unclad region is coated with ZnO and being immersed in the solution of ethanol and methanol in the range from 0 v/v% to 50 v/v%. The performance of ZnO coated POF is achieved by obtaining the power output value that transmitted via power meter. The result of this research is as the alcohol concentration increase, the power output value increase. Refractive index of ZnO is varied due to interaction between modified-cladding area and alcohol. Besides that, more light propagates inside the fiber when the sensor is tested under methanol solution compare to ethanol. Thus, the power output ratio increments as well as the sensor efficiency and shows the effectiveness of POF sensor to detect varied alcohol concentration.