Polyaniline-graphite nanocomposite based modified cladding optical fiber gas sensors

Abstract Polymer-based nanocomposites have become very attractive materials for many promising applications, including sensors. The use of nanomaterial as sensing layers greatly enhances the sensitivity of the sensing process. One interesting polymer nanocomposite is the polyaniline-graphite nanofibers nanocomposite. Combining polyaniline and graphite as a nanocomposite greatly enhances the optical properties of polyaniline and hence, the sensitivity of gas sensors is highly improved. Moreover, integration of graphite nanofiber with polyaniline provides high surface-to-volume ratio leads to better detection limits. This chapter reviews the recent advancements in polymer nanocomposites-based modified optical fiber gas sensors along with polyaniline-graphite nanofiber properties and applications. Deployment of modified optical fiber ammonia sensors coated with polyaniline-graphite nanofiber nanocomposites is covered.