Application of ferrocene-based polymers as variable index materials infiber optic gas sensors,

摘要

Abstract: Potential application of polymers containing ferrocene as their backbone compound in fiber optic gas sensors are discussed. The refractive indices of these polymers are comparable to silica glass and vary substantially upon exposure to certain gases. The variation in the refractive index of thin films of a ferrocene-based polymer known as methyl-phenyl-silane ferrocenylene polymer upon exposure to ammonia, nitrous oxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen, and oxygen is examined. The structure and operation of tapered optical fiber gas sensors fabricated with the aforementioned polymer are explained. Also covered are the sensitivity and reaction times of two different sensors to ammonia and nitrogen.!10