35th Winter School on Wave and Quantum Acoustics
J. Bodzenta, M. Dzida and T. Pustelny
J. Phys. IV France 137 (2006) 23-29
DOI: 10.1051/jp4:2006137006

Influence of humidity variations on performance of Nafion based ammonia optical sensor

M. Bednorz¹, A. Stolarczyk², E. Maciak¹, T. Pustelny¹, Z. Opilski¹ and M. Urbanczyk<sup>1

1</sup>  Silesian University of Technology, Institute of Physics, Department of Optoelectronics, ul. Krzywoustego 2, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
²  Silesian University of Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Physical Chemistry and Technology of Polymers, ul. Marcina Strzody 9, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland

(Published online 23 December 2006)

Abstract
The ammonia optical sensor has been presented. Active polymer layer Nafion deposited at the top of the optical fibre forms the Fabry-Perot interferometer. Interaction with gas changes the physical properties of sensing layer, hence the interference conditions are fulfilled for different wavelength. Sensor performance for different humidity levels has been measured. The influence of humidity variations on sensing layer is investigated as well. In order to suppress the moisture induced instability of the sensor different inhibiting layers have been deposited and their performance has been investigated.

© EDP Sciences 2006