Growth of well-arrayed ZnO nanorods over no-core fiber for the measurement of glucose solution concentration

High-quality ZnO nanorods have been grown over silica fiber utilizing zinc nitrate and hexamethylene tetramine as source materials. This work demonstrates the potential application of ZnO-coated optical fiber as a glucose concentration sensor. The highly oriented and well-arrayed ZnO nanorods were grown over seeded fiber substrate via the hydrothermal route. The ZnO layer's optical properties, morphology and elemental composition were analyzed by FE-SEM, UV-Vis, PL, XRD and XPS characterizations. These instrumental analyses of ZnO confirm vertical alignment, high density, crystallinity and purity of the ZnO nanomaterial. Herein, the different concentrations of glucose-treated ZnO together with a white light source irradiation were used, where the transmitted output intensity of the light signal was monitored. It was observed that the spectrum intensity decreases with an increase in glucose concentration. The average sensitivity is found to be 22.4%/M with good linearity in the glucose concentration range of 0-0.5 M in the calibration curve.

Automated summary

High-quality ZnO nanorods have been successfully grown on silica fibers using zinc nitrate and hexamethylene tetramine. The potential application of ZnO-coated optical fiber as a glucose concentration sensor is demonstrated. The highly oriented and well-arrayed ZnO nanorods are grown via the hydrothermal route. Instrumental analyses confirm the vertical alignment, high density, crystallinity, and purity of the ZnO nanomaterial. The transmitted output intensity of the light signal decreases with an increase in glucose concentration, with an average sensitivity of 22.4%/M in the glucose concentration range of 0-0.5 M.