Photonic crystal fiber interferometric pH sensor based on polyvinyl alcohol/polyacrylic acid hydrogel coating

Appl Opt. 2015 Apr 1;54(10):2647-52. doi: 10.1364/AO.54.002647.

Abstract

We present a simple photonic crystal fiber interferometer (PCFI) that operates in reflection mode for pH measurement. The sensor is made by coating polyvinyl alcohol/polyacrylic acid (PVA/PAA) hydrogel onto the surface of the PCFI, constructed by splicing a stub of PCF at the distal end of a single-mode fiber with its free end airhole collapsed. The experimental results demonstrate a high average sensitivity of 0.9 nm/pH unit for the 11 wt.% PVA/PAA coated sensor in the pH range from 2.5 to 6.5. The sensor also displays high repeatability and stability and low cross-sensitivity to temperature. Fast, reversible rise and fall times of 12 s and 18 s, respectively, are achieved for the sensor time response.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acrylic Resins / chemistry*
  • Calibration
  • Crystallization
  • Equipment Design
  • Hydrogels / chemistry*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Interferometry / instrumentation*
  • Interferometry / methods
  • Materials Testing
  • Optical Phenomena
  • Photons
  • Polyvinyl Alcohol / chemistry*
  • Temperature
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Acrylic Resins
  • Hydrogels
  • carbopol 940
  • Polyvinyl Alcohol