Nanochemical fabrication of a graphene oxide-based nanohybrid for label-free optical sensing with fiber optics

In this article, we report our latest research results concerning the possibility to develop a chemical probe sensor based on reduced graphene oxide. In particular, a layered nanohybrid consisting of a nanostructured Ag surface and of reduced graphene oxide has been fabricated on an optical fiber, and used as a model device aiming to label-free optical gas sensing. A semitransparent, conductive Ag coating has been fabricated on the optical fiber via wet chemistry, and used as electrode for the electrophoretic deposition of an ultrathin layer of graphene oxide. After in situ reduction, the reduced graphene oxide layer has been used as functional organic coating for label-free optical sensing of water and ammonia vapors. © 2014 Elsevier B.V.