All-polymer fiber-optic pH sensor

A novel all-polymer fiber-optic pH sensor using a UV-cured pH-sensitive hydrogel, poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA), coated on a polymer fiber Bragg grating was developed. The PEGDA increased in volume according to the pH value of the surrounding fluid, which subsequently induced a lateral stress in the polymer fiber Bragg grating. The proposed pH sensor exhibits a pH sensitivity of up to −0.41 nm/pH and a fast response time of 30 s.