Tapered plastic optical fiber coated with single wall carbon nanotubes polyethylene oxide composite for measurement of uric acid concentration

Abstract

Purpose – A simple tapered plastic optical fiber (POF) sensor is proposed and demonstrated for measurement of uric acid concentrations in de-ionized water. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – The sensor operates based on intensity modulation technique as the tapered POF probe which was coated by a single walled carbon nonotubes polyethylene oxide (SWCNT-PEO) composite is immersed into the uric acid solution. The probe was fabricated using an etching method and has a waist diameter of 0.46 mm and tapering length of 10 mm. Findings – As the concentration varies from 0 to 500 ppm, the output voltage of the sensor increases linearly from 6.13 to 7.35 mV with a sensitivity of 0.0023 mV/% and a linearity of more than 97.20 percent. The SWCNT-PEO composite coating increases the sensitivity of the proposed sensor due to the effective cladding refractive index, which increases with the coating and thus allows more light to be transmitted from the tapered fiber. Originality/value – This is the first demonstration of the tapered POF sensor for measurement of uric acid concentrations in de-ionized water.