LSPR and molecular imprinting based optical fiber sensor for detection of tetracycline

Abstract

We reported a simple absorption based fiber optic sensor for the detection of tetracycline using LSPR (Ag nanoparticle) and molecular imprinted polymer (MIP). For the fabrication of sensor first we unclad 1cm portion of a 17 cm long fiber. In that portion we coated silver nanoparticles, which are synthesized by hydrothermal process. Then we coated the unclad region by MIP layer that has tetracycline as a template molecule. MIP has nanocavities or binding sites of the template molecule. When template molecule comes to nanocavities then template binds with the polymer and refractive index of polymer changes. With respect to change in concentration of template molecule the light absorbed by Ag nanoparticles which has been recorded simultaneously with the spectrometer assembly