Nanocrystalline ZnO coated fiber optic sensor for ammonia gas detection

A cladding modified fiber optic sensor coated with nanocrystalline ZnO is proposed for ammonia gas detection. As-prepared and annealed zinc oxide (500 and 1200 °C) samples are used as the gas sensing media. The spectral characteristics of the fiber optic gas sensor are studied for various concentrations of ammonia (0–500 ppm). The sensor exhibits linear variation in the spectral peak intensity with the ammonia concentration. The characteristics of the sensor when exposed to ethanol and methanol gases are also studied for gas selectivity. The time response characteristics of the sensor are reported.