Methane Gas Detection Using ZnO Coated on Tapered Optical Fiber

Nor Akmar Mohd Yahya; Mohd Hanif Yaacob; Mohd Adzir Mahdi

Nor Akmar Mohd Yahya University Malaysia of Computer Science and Engineering, 63000 Cyberjaya, Malaysia
Mohd Hanif Yaacob Wireless and Photonics Networks Research Center, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang
Mohd Adzir Mahdi Wireless and Photonics Networks Research Center, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang

Keywords: Gas Sensors, Optical Sensors, Sensing Material, Zinc Oxide

Abstract

Zinc Oxide (ZnO) is one of the semiconductor materials used as a sensing layer for various detection purpose and one of them is to detect methane gas. In this work, an optical fiber sensor coated with ZnO was developed to detect methane (CH₄) gas. The ZnO layer was synthesized and deposited onto tapered optical fiber via drop cast method. The characterisation of synthesized ZnO was performed via SEM and EDX to verify the material properties. The developed sensor with 750 nm thickness of coated ZnO is then tested towards 0.5%, 0.75% and 1.0% concentration of methane gas at room temperature. The absorbance response observed during the sensing is correspond to the change of methane gas concentration. It was found that the sensor showed highest sensitivity when exposed to 1% concentration and lowest sensitivity for 0.5% of methane gas. The response and recovery time for 1% methane gas exposure was recorded to be around 2.0 minutes and 3.0 minutes, respectively. The developed ZnO sensor using optical fiber has showed sensitivity towards CH₄ gas at certain level of concentration.

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