Nanomaterials for Optical Fiber Sensing

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanophotonics Materials and Devices".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 5 February 2026 | Viewed by 737

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
School of Physical Science and Technology, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China
Interests: fiber gratings; optical fiber sensors

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

One of the most promising fields in optical fiber sensing is the utilization of nanomaterials, a specialized area that has gained significant attention due to the unique properties of nanoparticles, which can enhance the sensitivity, selectivity, and range of optical fiber sensors. The utilization of nanomaterials in optical fiber sensing clearly shows how nanoscale features can significantly influence the properties of a material. Nanoparticles, with their large surface area and high surface-to-volume ratio, offer improved performance compared to bulk materials. For instance, silver nanoparticles have been shown to enhance the sensitivity of refractive index sensors, while graphene oxide has been employed in chemical and biological sensors due to its exceptional electrical and mechanical properties.

In this Special Issue of Nanomaterials, we aim to showcase the latest advancements in the integration of nanomaterials into optical fiber sensors. We have invited contributions from leading experts in the field to provide an overview of the current state of the art. The topics covered include the synthesis and functionalization of nanomaterials, their integration into optical fibers, and the development of novel sensing platforms. The articles in this Special Issue will address challenges such as the stability of nanoparticles in optical fiber matrices, the optimization of nanomaterial dispersion, and the integration of multifunctional nanomaterials to enhance sensing capabilities. We hope to provide comprehensive insights into the role of nanomaterials in optical fiber sensing, paving the way for future innovations and applications in this rapidly evolving field.

Dr. Dingyi Feng
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • nanomaterials
  • fiber optics
  • sensing technology
  • nanoscale integration
  • optical fiber sensors

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

23 pages, 5503 KB  
Article
Additive-Enhanced SnO2 FBG Sensor with Optimized Annealing Time, Temperature, and Multilayer Coating for High-Performance Humidity Sensing
by Soo Ping Kok, Yun Ii Go, Siti Barirah Ahmad Anas, M. L. Dennis Wong and Kah Yoong Chan
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(19), 1508; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15191508 - 1 Oct 2025
Viewed by 402
Abstract
Coating plays an important role in advancing sensing technology by significantly enhancing sensitivity, stability, and response time. The unique properties of nanostructures, including high surface-to-volume ratio and tunable porosity, make them suitable candidates for improving sensor performance. By optimizing nanostructure coatings, advancements in [...] Read more.
Coating plays an important role in advancing sensing technology by significantly enhancing sensitivity, stability, and response time. The unique properties of nanostructures, including high surface-to-volume ratio and tunable porosity, make them suitable candidates for improving sensor performance. By optimizing nanostructure coatings, advancements in high-precision humidity sensing devices are achievable, enabling a wide range of industrial applications, especially in humidity-controlled industries. In this study, the effects of annealing time, annealing temperature, and the number of coating layers on the properties of additive-enhanced SnO2 nanostructure were investigated. The experiment was carried out by subjecting the additive-enhanced SnO2 nanostructure to different annealing times and annealing temperatures to analyze its impact on crystallinity, porosity, and moisture adsorption properties. Upon optimizing the annealing parameters, multilayer coatings were carried out to assess the effect of the total number of coating layers on hygroscopic behavior. A hygroscopicity test was carried out on each sample to evaluate its moisture adsorption and desorption capabilities. The results demonstrated that controlled annealing conditions significantly improve the nanostructure’s hygroscopic properties, and the optimized coating layers further enhanced the moisture retention, making the developed SnO2 nanostructure a promising candidate for advanced sensing applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials for Optical Fiber Sensing)
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