Smartphone-Based Refractive Index Sensor Utilizing Gold Nanorod-Coated CD Grating

2024-06-23T12:52:04+07:00

The refractive index measurement device utilizing a gold nanorod (GNR)-coated CD grating and operated through a smartphone has been developed and successfully demonstrated. The GNRs were synthesized using the seed-mediated growth method, with varying amounts of silver nitrate, specifically tailored for refractive index sensing applications. Due to their anisotropic shapes, GNRs exhibit two absorption peaks associated with localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). This study showcased the LSPR absorption sensitivity of GNRs to changes in solution refractive index. Solutions with diverse refractive index values were prepared and measured using the GNR-coated CD grating as the sensing material and a smartphone as the detector. The observed adsorption changes correlated directly with the refractive index of the solutions. Notably, the synthesized GNR-coated CD grating demonstrated a high sensitivity of 557.76 Green Intensity/RIU. Remarkably, this setup eliminates the need for traditional optical components such as lenses, filters, or apertures, relying solely on the smartphone's LED flash and camera. This work highlights the potential for portable, real-time, cost-effective, and easily deployable refractive index sensing devices.

Facile Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanorods Using a Single-Phase Flow with 3D Printed Device

2024-06-02T16:53:57+07:00

In this work, the single-phase flow chip was applied to synthesize ZnO nanomaterial. The facile process of synthesizing ZnO can be achieved through the printed single-flow chip with the Y-junction pattern. The flow chip was designed and printed with a stereolithography 3d printer. Then, the physical properties of prepared ZnO were performed with an X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometer (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and UV-visible near-infrared spectrophotometer (UV-Vis-NIR), respectively. It was found that the prepared ZnO exhibited a hexagonal wurtzite structure with the morphologies of ZnO powders, showing the nanorod structure with rod length in micron size. The influence of precursor flow rate on the properties of ZnO nanorods was evaluated. The UV photodetector has been fabricated on a plastic print circuit board with an interdigitated electrode. The optimized sensitivity of the fabricated UV photodetector was investigated.

Thai Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

Smartphone-Based Refractive Index Sensor Utilizing Gold Nanorod-Coated CD Grating

Facile Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanorods Using a Single-Phase Flow with 3D Printed Device