Characterization of ZnO–TiO2-coated tapered fibres synthesized by a low-temperature hydrothermal method

• Main Authors: Roslan, Farah Sakiinah, Saidin, Norazlina, Mat Harttar @ Mohd Hatta, Maziati Akmal, Hasbullah, Nurul Fadzlin, Thirunavakkarasu, Punithavathi M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English; English; English
• Published: Institute of Physical Optics 2022
• Subjects: TA1501 Applied optics. Lasers; TA401 Materials of engineering and construction
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/101321/1/101321_Characterization%20of%20ZnO%E2%80%93TiO2-coated.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/101321/2/101321_Characterization%20of%20ZnO%E2%80%93TiO2-coated_SCOPUS.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/101321/13/Characterization_wos.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/101321/; http://ifo.lviv.ua/journal/UJPO_PDF/2022_2/0502_2022.pdf

We characterize ZnO-nanorod fibres doped with different concentrations of TiO2 powder which is introduced on the final stage of synthesis of ZnO nanorods, using a low-temperature hydrothermal method. Their surface morphology, size of particles, behaviour of crystallites and optical properties are investigated using techniques of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and an optical spectrometer. A presence of ZnO nanorods and a globular structure of TiO2 are confirmed by the SEM analysis. The EDS spectra and chemical-element mapping reveals a presence of Ti incorporated into a globular surface, along with Zn. The XRD analysis testifies that ZnO doped with TiO2 has a primary crystallite phase of ZnO. ZnO doped with 10 and 15 mM of TiO2 shows a stronger and more expressed peak corresponding to (002) and (011) planes, which implies improved crystallinity of ZnO–TiO2 system. Optical properties of ZnO–TiO2 are studied by measuring the intensity of halogen-source light transmitted through the fibres. The ZnO & 15 mM TiO2 fibre sample shows the lowest intensity of the transmitted light due to higher refractive index of a cladding layer coated under condition of high TiO2 concentration. The increased light leakage in such a fibre can improve sensitivity of a relevant sensor, especially a gas one.