Selective detection of metal cations using hydrogel-core microstructured polymer optical fibers by fiber enhanced Raman spectroscopy

A new approach of fiber enhanced Raman spectroscopy for different metal cations detection and quantification is presented. The creation of a functional sodium-alginate hydrogel within the core of a self-fabricated microstructured polymer optical fiber, allows light guidance of the incident and scattered light due to the modified total internal reflection. This fact enhances the Raman spectra of the molecules placed in the core. Moreover, the functional hydrogel created in the core is capable of differentiating among high and low affinity target molecules. Experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of this sensing platform due to the aforementioned selectivity and Raman enhancement.