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NUR LIYANA ZAINOL1, MUHAMMAD NIL YAFIQ MOHD YUSOF1, WAN MAISARAH MUKHTAR1, P. SUSTHITHA MENON2, AFFA ROZANA ABDUL RASHID1,*
A plastic optical fiber (POF) sensor coated with graphene oxide (GO), zinc oxide (ZnO), and GO/ZnO nanocomposites was developed for the detection of copper ions (Cu²⁺) in drinking water. The GO/ZnO nanocomposite was synthesized using a modified Hummer’s method combined with solution mixing. The morphology, structure, and optical properties were characterized using FESEM, XRD, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The POF was chemically etched and coated with the synthesized materials to enhance its sensitivity through evanescent wave interaction. Performance testing was carried out at copper ion concentrations of 0.7 ppm, 1.0 ppm, and 1.3 ppm, with optical power output measured using an optical power meter at 650 nm light source. Results demonstrated that GO-coated POF exhibited the highest sensitivity (0.0087 a.u/ppm) compared to ZnO and GO/ZnO-coated POFs. ZnO shows excellent linearity (99%), and the lowest limit of detection (0.2805 ppm), making it highly effective for detecting Cu²⁺ ions even at trace levels. This study highlights the potential of ZnO-coated POF sensors as a cost-effective, portable solution for heavy metal ion monitoring in water quality applications.
GO/ZnO nanocomposite, Plastic optical fiber, Copper ion detection.
NUR LIYANA ZAINOL, MUHAMMAD NIL YAFIQ MOHD YUSOF, WAN MAISARAH MUKHTAR, P. SUSTHITHA MENON, AFFA ROZANA ABDUL RASHID, GO/ZnO nanocomposite-coated plastic optical fiber for copper ion detection in drinking water, Optoelectronics and Advanced Materials - Rapid Communications, 20, 5-6, May-June 2026, pp.218-224 (2026).
Submitted at: Oct. 18, 2025
Accepted at: June 2, 2026
Optoelectronics and Advanced Materials - Rapid Communications
(2024): Impact Factor = 0.4 - Journal Citation Reports (Clarivate Analytics, 2025)
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