Selective sensing of alcohols in water influenced by chemically Zeolite coatings on optical fiber sensors

The application of a MFI type zeolite coating on the end of an optical fiber is presented. Zeolite coatings were directly grown on the freshly cleaved endface of optical fibers. It was found that the produced integrated zeolite-fiber sensors exhibit specific chemical sensitivity towards certain chemicals. The molecular adsorption induced change of zeolite refractive index was studied to understand the sensing mechanisms of the developed sensor system. This work can lead to a new class of portable zeolite thin film enabled miniaturized fiber optic sensors.