Fiber sensor based on Lophine sensitive layer for nitrate detection in drinking water

•Fiber sensor to detect Nitrate.•The sensitive layer is elaborated with Lophine.•The optical power can be relate with Nitrate concentration.

A new characterization of Lophine as a sensitive layer to measure Nitrate in drinking water is presented in this paper. The characterization was performed with a standard slide and a standard multimode fiber coated with a Lophine sensitive layer (2,4,5-Triphenylimidazol (C21H16N2)). Spectral characterization has been conducted in the wavelength range from 300 to 1100 nm. We have demonstrated that Lophine can be used as a fiber sensor for the detection of Nitrate in drinking water. The sensing properties of the fiber sensor were analyzed at room temperature. Successful results were achieved when sensing Nitrate in the range between 1 mg/l and 70 mg/l. The response time was 20 ms and the recovery time was 40 ms.