| Summary: | The fabrication and characterization of an optical fiber pH sensor for the detection range 3-11 are described. The sensing element consists of a combination of indicators encapsulated in mesoporous surfactant based hybrid matrix, which are deposited onto an uncladed plastic optical fiber. Stable, dense and uniform sol-gel cladding with more than 90% transparency in the visible range are observed. Roughness value 9.7-6.57 nm is obtained by AFM. Film thickness, refractive index, and porosity are found to vary with number of coatings, 70% porosity is determined with 116 nm thickness. The response of the sensor with third layer is observed in acid and basic medium.
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