Semiconductor Physics, Quantum Electronics & Optoelectronics. 2005. V. 8, N 1. P. 095-099.
https://doi.org/10.15407/spqeo8.01.095

Novel SnO2 based optical sensor for detection of low ammonia concentrations in water at room temperatures
M. Pisco1, M. Consales1, R. Viter2, V. Smyntyna2, S. Campopiano1, M. Giordano3, A. Cusano1, A. Cutolo1

1Optoelectronic Division-Department of Engineering, University of Sannio, 107, Corso Garibaldi, 82100 Benevento, Italy Phone: 0039-0824305846; fax: 0039-0824305840; e-mail: a.cusano@unisannio.it.
2Department of Experimental Physics, Odessa National University, 42, Pastera str., 65026, Odessa, Ukraine Phone: +38-067-66-39-327; e-mail: viter_r@mail.ru.
3Institute for Composite and Biomedical Materials, CNR, 80, Piazzale Vincenzo Tecchio, 80125 Naples, Italy Phone: (+39) 0817682401; fax: (+39) 0817682666; e-mail: gmichele@unina.it.

Abstract. In the work, presented are preliminary experimental results on the capability of a metal oxide (MO) based optical sensor to perform ammonia detection in water environment at room temperature. The electro-spray pyrolysis technique was used to deposit SnO2 films on the distant end of standard silica optical fiber (SOF). Reflection spectra of the studied samples were preliminarily characterized in the range of 1520 to 1620 nm by using a tunable laser and an optical spectrum analyzer. Single wavelength reflectance measurements were carried out to test the sensing performances for detecting the ammonia of concentration from 4 to 20 ppm. High sensitivity to the target analyte and fast response times were observed. From the results obtained, the detection limit close to a sub-ppm level was achieved.

Keywords: optical fiber sensor, tin dioxide film, ammonia detection.

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