The technology of polymer microtips’ manufacturing on the ends of selected multi-mode fibers has been reported. The study’s key element was an extended description of technology parameters’ influence on the shape of these 3D microstructures. Basic technology parameters such as spectral characteristics of the light source, monomer mixture type, optical power, and exposure time were taken under consideration. Depending on those parameters, different shapes, sizes, and surface structures of microtips were obtained. The spectral characteristics of the light and optical power delivered to a monomer drop were identified as the most important parameters for the formation of the desired 3D shape of the microtip. Presented experimental results are the base for further studies directed to the application of these micro-elements in the fields of optical measurements and sensors’ technology.
A new chromium(III) ion-imprinted polymer (IIP) was prepared from a Cr(III)-nicotinate complex (template), acrylamide (functional monomer), and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (cross-linking agent) using 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile as the radical initiator. IIP was characterised and used as a selective sorbent for the solid-phase extraction of Cr(III) ions. The conditions for dynamic separation of Cr(III) on IIP were optimised. Cr(III) ions are selectively retained on the sorbent in a pH range from 9 to 10 and can be eluted with 4 mol L −1 acetic acid. Cr(III) ions were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) with a detection limit of 0.08 µ g mL −1. The method was successfully applied to determine Cr(III) species in wastewater and reference material RES 25.2 with a reproducibility of 1.8%-3.4%.
Polymer microtips are 3D microstructures manufactured on the end face of an optical fiber by using the photopolymerization process. Such micro-optic elements made on a multi-mode optical fiber were previously tested as a transducer of refractive index sensor. These studies were an inspiration to investigate the possibility of using this type of transducer to measure the presence of volatile organic compounds in the air. The experimental results of microtips polymerized with UV and VIS were reported. It was possible to detect the presence of five different volatile compounds in the air due to the sensitivity of the transducer to the refractive indices changes. These changes were induced by the vapors condensed on the microtip surface. The measured time responses have shown that the return loss decreases rapidly as the microtip is inserted inside a glass vial filled with the tested compound. Moreover, correlations between calculated dynamic ranges and refractive indices and volumes of the volatile compounds inside the vials were negligible. Therefore, this type of sensor can be categorized as a condensed material threshold sensor. This sensor can be used in warning systems for monitoring leakages of pipelines carrying volatile chemicals.
This paper presents the results of a study on the possibility of detecting organosulfur and organophosphorus compounds by means of polymer-assisted optical fiber technology. The detection of the aforementioned compounds can be realized by fabricating a polymer-coated tapered optical fiber (TOF), where the polymer works as an absorber, which changes the light propagation conditions in the TOF. The TOFs were manufactured based on a standard single-mode fiber for telecommunication purposes and, as an absorbing polymer, hexafluorobutyl acrylate was used, which is sensitive to organosulfur and organophosphorus compounds. The spectral measurements were conducted in a wide optical range—500–1800 nm—covering the visible part of the spectrum as well as near infrared part in order to show the versatility of the proposed solution. Additionally, detailed absorption dynamics measurements were provided for a single wavelength of 1310 nm. The analyses were conducted for two concentrations of evaporating compounds, 10 µL and 100 µL, in a volume of 150 mL. Additionally, a temperature dependency analysis and tests with distilled water were carried out to eliminate the influence of external factors. The results presented in this article confirmed the possibility to provide low-cost sensors for dangerous and harmful chemical compounds using optical fiber technology and polymers as sensitive materials.
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