OPTICAL SENSOR PREPARATION USING THE SOL-GEL TECHNOLOGY FOR DISSOLVED AMMONIA DETECTION

Abstract

The sol-gel route was utilized to prepare an optical sensor for the detection of low concentration of dissolved aqueous solution of ammonia. Several alcohols were tested to find a good solvent for dopant immobilization. Thus isobutyl alcohol was shown to be a suitable choice. The materials were characterized using the light microscopy and powder XRD techniques and no major cracks and deteriorations detected. Prepared films show a linear relationship to the concentration of ammonia in a wide range.