A fiber optic, ultraviolet light-emitting diode-based, two wavelength fluorometer for monitoring reactive adsorption

Abstract

Construction and use of an ultraviolet light-emitting diode-based fluorometer for measuring photoluminescence (PL) from powder samples with a fiber optic probe is described. Fluorescence at two wavelengths is detected by miniature photomultiplier tubes, each equipped with a different band pass filter, whose outputs are analyzed by a microprocessor. Photoluminescent metal oxides and hydroxides, and other semiconducting nanoparticles, often undergo changes in their emission spectra upon exposure to reactive gases, and the ratio of the PL intensities at two wavelengths is diagnostic of adsorption. Use of this instrument for reactive gas sensing and gas filtration applications is illustrated by measuring changes in the PL ratio for zirconium hydroxide and zinc oxide particles upon exposure to air containing low concentrations of sulfur dioxide.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2016
Source ID
10.1063/1.4944761

Entities

People

  • Bryan J. Schindler
  • Christopher D. Granz
  • Gregory W. Peterson
  • James E. Whitten

Organizations

  • Army Research Office
  • Defense Threat Reduction Agency
  • Edgewood Chemical Biological Center
  • University of Massachusetts Lowell

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Combustion science or combustion engineering.
  • Optical Fiber Sensing and Electromagnetic Propagation.
  • Semiconductor Device Technology

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology