Advancements in Optical Fiber Sensors for pH Measurement: Technologies and Applications

Measuring pH is a critical parameter in environmental monitoring, biomedical diagnostics, food safety, and industrial processes. Optical fiber sensors have proven highly effective for pH detection due to their exceptional sensitivity, rapid response, and resistance to electromagnetic interference, m...

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Main Authors: Alaa N. D. Alhussein, Mohammed R. T. M. Qaid, Timur Agliullin, Bulat Valeev, Oleg Morozov, Airat Sakhabutdinov, Yuri A. Konstantinov
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Sensors
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/14/4275
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author Alaa N. D. Alhussein
Mohammed R. T. M. Qaid
Timur Agliullin
Bulat Valeev
Oleg Morozov
Airat Sakhabutdinov
Yuri A. Konstantinov
author_facet Alaa N. D. Alhussein
Mohammed R. T. M. Qaid
Timur Agliullin
Bulat Valeev
Oleg Morozov
Airat Sakhabutdinov
Yuri A. Konstantinov
author_sort Alaa N. D. Alhussein
collection DOAJ
description Measuring pH is a critical parameter in environmental monitoring, biomedical diagnostics, food safety, and industrial processes. Optical fiber sensors have proven highly effective for pH detection due to their exceptional sensitivity, rapid response, and resistance to electromagnetic interference, making them well suited for real-time monitoring. This review offers a comprehensive analysis of recent advances in optical fiber-based pH sensors, covering key techniques such as fluorescence-based, absorbance-based, evanescent wave, and interferometric methods. Innovations in Fiber Bragg Grating and Surface Plasmon Resonance technologies are also examined. The discussion extends to the impact of pH-sensitive coatings—ranging from nanomaterials and polymeric films to graphene-based compounds—on enhancing sensor performance. Recent advancements have also enabled automation in data analysis and improvements in remote sensing capabilities. The review further compares the economic viability of optical fiber sensors with traditional electrochemical methods, while acknowledging persistent issues such as temperature cross-sensitivity, long-term stability, and fabrication costs. Overall, recent developments have broadened the functionality and application scope of these sensors by improving efficiency, accuracy, and scalability. Future research directions are outlined, including advanced optical interrogation techniques, such as Addressed Fiber Bragg Structures (AFBSs), microwave photonic integration, and optimized material selection. These approaches aim to enhance performance, reduce costs, and enable the broader adoption of optical fiber pH sensors.
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spelling doaj-art-ba57e6d9df594acf8738af7abf8079342025-08-20T03:56:47ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202025-07-012514427510.3390/s25144275Advancements in Optical Fiber Sensors for pH Measurement: Technologies and ApplicationsAlaa N. D. Alhussein0Mohammed R. T. M. Qaid1Timur Agliullin2Bulat Valeev3Oleg Morozov4Airat Sakhabutdinov5Yuri A. Konstantinov6Department of Radiophotonics and Microwave Technologies, Kazan National Research Technical University Named After A. N. Tupolev-KAI, 10, K. Marx St., Kazan 420111, RussiaDepartment of Radiophotonics and Microwave Technologies, Kazan National Research Technical University Named After A. N. Tupolev-KAI, 10, K. Marx St., Kazan 420111, RussiaDepartment of Radiophotonics and Microwave Technologies, Kazan National Research Technical University Named After A. N. Tupolev-KAI, 10, K. Marx St., Kazan 420111, RussiaDepartment of Radiophotonics and Microwave Technologies, Kazan National Research Technical University Named After A. N. Tupolev-KAI, 10, K. Marx St., Kazan 420111, RussiaDepartment of Radiophotonics and Microwave Technologies, Kazan National Research Technical University Named After A. N. Tupolev-KAI, 10, K. Marx St., Kazan 420111, RussiaDepartment of Radiophotonics and Microwave Technologies, Kazan National Research Technical University Named After A. N. Tupolev-KAI, 10, K. Marx St., Kazan 420111, RussiaPerm Federal Research Center of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (PFRC UB RAS), 13a Lenin St., Perm 614000, RussiaMeasuring pH is a critical parameter in environmental monitoring, biomedical diagnostics, food safety, and industrial processes. Optical fiber sensors have proven highly effective for pH detection due to their exceptional sensitivity, rapid response, and resistance to electromagnetic interference, making them well suited for real-time monitoring. This review offers a comprehensive analysis of recent advances in optical fiber-based pH sensors, covering key techniques such as fluorescence-based, absorbance-based, evanescent wave, and interferometric methods. Innovations in Fiber Bragg Grating and Surface Plasmon Resonance technologies are also examined. The discussion extends to the impact of pH-sensitive coatings—ranging from nanomaterials and polymeric films to graphene-based compounds—on enhancing sensor performance. Recent advancements have also enabled automation in data analysis and improvements in remote sensing capabilities. The review further compares the economic viability of optical fiber sensors with traditional electrochemical methods, while acknowledging persistent issues such as temperature cross-sensitivity, long-term stability, and fabrication costs. Overall, recent developments have broadened the functionality and application scope of these sensors by improving efficiency, accuracy, and scalability. Future research directions are outlined, including advanced optical interrogation techniques, such as Addressed Fiber Bragg Structures (AFBSs), microwave photonic integration, and optimized material selection. These approaches aim to enhance performance, reduce costs, and enable the broader adoption of optical fiber pH sensors.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/14/4275optical fiber sensorspH measurementevanescent waveSPR and FBG sensorsreal-time monitoringbio-medical and industrial applications
spellingShingle Alaa N. D. Alhussein
Mohammed R. T. M. Qaid
Timur Agliullin
Bulat Valeev
Oleg Morozov
Airat Sakhabutdinov
Yuri A. Konstantinov
Advancements in Optical Fiber Sensors for pH Measurement: Technologies and Applications
Sensors
optical fiber sensors
pH measurement
evanescent wave
SPR and FBG sensors
real-time monitoring
bio-medical and industrial applications
title Advancements in Optical Fiber Sensors for pH Measurement: Technologies and Applications
title_full Advancements in Optical Fiber Sensors for pH Measurement: Technologies and Applications
title_fullStr Advancements in Optical Fiber Sensors for pH Measurement: Technologies and Applications
title_full_unstemmed Advancements in Optical Fiber Sensors for pH Measurement: Technologies and Applications
title_short Advancements in Optical Fiber Sensors for pH Measurement: Technologies and Applications
title_sort advancements in optical fiber sensors for ph measurement technologies and applications
topic optical fiber sensors
pH measurement
evanescent wave
SPR and FBG sensors
real-time monitoring
bio-medical and industrial applications
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/14/4275
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AT bulatvaleev advancementsinopticalfibersensorsforphmeasurementtechnologiesandapplications
AT olegmorozov advancementsinopticalfibersensorsforphmeasurementtechnologiesandapplications
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