George Huyang

Percolation Diffusion into Self-Assembled Mesoporous Silica Microfibres

Percolation diffusion into long (11.5 cm) self-assembled, ordered mesoporous microfibres is studied using optical transmission and laser ablation inductive coupled mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Optical transmission based diffusion studies reveal rapid penetration (<5 s, D > 80 μm2∙s−1) of Rhodamine B with very little percolation of larger molecules such as zinc tetraphenylporphyrin (ZnTPP) observed under similar loading conditions. The failure of ZnTPP to enter the microfibre was confirmed, in higher resolution, using LA-ICP-MS. In the latter case, LA-ICP-MS was used to determine the diffusion of zinc acetate dihydrate, D~3 × 10−4 nm2∙s−1. The large differences between the molecules are accounted for by proposing ordered solvent and structure assisted accelerated diffusion of the Rhodamine B based on its hydrophilicity relative to the zinc compounds. The broader implications and applications for filtration, molecular sieves and a range of devices and uses are described.

Evaluation of optical fiber microcell reactor for use in remote acid sensing

An optical fiber acid-sensor based on protonation of a porphyrin solution within a single-hole structured optical fiber is proposed and demonstrated. The liquid-core fiber acts as a microcell reactor, and changes in the spectral signature with acidification are detected. Challenges and limitations in the practical deployment of such sensors are evaluated. An effective chemical sensor is demonstrated, but issues such as diffusion limit its full utilization. Some solutions are discussed.

Self-assembled porphyrin microrods and observation of structure-induced iridescence

Self-assembled microrods {based on 5-nitro-10,15,20-trialkylporphyrins [(CnH2n+1)3-NO2P]} and microplates {based on 5,10,15,20-tetraheptylporphyrin [(C7H15)4-P]} are fabricated and characterised using optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The length of the alkyl chains and the deposition surface are found to influence the optical properties and microrod self-assembly. When the deposition surface is silica (α-quartz), 5-nitro-trialkylporphyrins, (C5H11)3-NO2P, (C7H15)3-NO2P and (C11H23)3-NO2P all form microrods of 0.7–0.8 micron diameter; the average length of the microrods varies from 170 microns for (C5H11)3-NO2P to about 11 microns for (C7H15)3-NO2P and (C11H23)3-NO2P, whereas (C19H39)3-NO2P with much longer alkyl chains only gives powders. Controlling the precipitation is crucial in preventing the disordered aggregation of assembled layers observed in the bulk. Very interestingly, the microrods formed from (C7H15)3-NO2P show marked iridescent character. When (C7H15)3-NO2P is deposited on silicon, however, longer curved microrods which do not show iridescence are produced. Single crystal X-ray crystallography of (C7H15)3-NO2P reveals the packing of the bulk material which explains the packing topology of the layers observed by AFM but not the iridescence. The observed structural colour of the (C7H15)3-NO2P microrods is explained by staggering of the layers to produce a corrugated surface with a period of 125 nm, as measured by AFM.

Porphyrin-doped solgel-lined structured optical fibers for local and remote sensing

We constructed a type of sensor by depositing a solgel layer within the interior holes of a silica-structured fiber and, subsequently, coating this with an acid-responsive porphyrin. Protonation of the porphyrin by an acidic gas (HCl in this case), is detected by a large change in the visible spectrum. Compared to previous work on a liquid-core sensor in a structured optical fiber, the signal-to-noise ratio of this gas sensor shows a reduced signal strength, but the detection rate is increased about fortyfold.

Remote gaseous acid sensing within a porphyrin-doped TiO2 sol-gel layer inside a structured optical fibre

A porphyrin containing sol-gel layer has been deposited within the interior of the channels of a silica structured optical fibre. Gaseous HCl detection based on protonation of the porphyrin and observed as a change in the spectrum is demonstrated. This system is compared to previous work based on an acid sensor within a liquid-core fibre. The signal-to- noise of this type of fibre system shows a higher level of sensitivity than the liquid-core and has a forty-fold acid diffusion rate increase due to the different medium for acidification.

Focused ion beam processing and engineering of devices in self-assembled supramolecular structures

Self-assembled supramolecular structures such as optical wires, films and 2D slabs offer a new generation of electronic and optical devices. In particular, self-assembled porphyrin devices, including those integrated onto silica and silicon platforms, open new opportunities in photonic applications spanning molecular biosensing, photovoltaics and telecommunications. All reports to date, however, largely highlight the potential but have not established a clear pathway to the actual implementation of more complex device prototypes. In this paper, we propose and demonstrate the use of a focused ion beam (FIB) to process and fabricate devices in porphyrin-based supramolecular structures. These self-assembled structures have an initial root mean squared (rms) values for surface roughness of < 0.5 nm as measured by atomic force microscopy. Under appropriate FIB processing and cutting conditions, the rms value for surface roughness falls to < 0.4 nm, comparable with some of the best optical flatnesses obtained within, for example, structured optical fibres and integrated optical waveguides. The milling rate of the porphyrin structures was estimated to be approximately 70% of that of silica. The versatility of a FIB as a tool for rapid processing and fabricating 1D and 2D photonic waveguide structures within supramolecular self-assembled platforms is demonstrated by fabricating a 2D coupler, setting the groundwork for true optical device engineering and integration using these new organic systems.

Magnetic induction-induced resistive heating of optical fibers and gratings

Magnetic induction heating of optical fibers packaged with a steel plate is studied using a fiber Bragg grating. The dependence on the induced wavelength shift with magnetic field is obtained for a commercially available induction heater. More than a 300°C temperature rise is observed within seconds. The potential of magnetic induction as an efficient and rapid means of modulating devices and as a novel approach to potential optical based magnetic field and current sensing is proposed and discussed. The extension of the ideas into micro and nanophotonics is described.

Fabricating Nanoporous Silica Structure on D-Fibres through Room Temperature Self-Assembly

The room temperature deposition of self-assembling silica nanoparticles onto D-shaped optical fibres (“D-fibre”), drawn from milled preforms fabricated by modified chemical vapour deposition (MCVD), is studied. Vertical dip-and-withdraw produces tapered layers, with one end thicker (surface coverage >0.85) than the other, whilst horizontal dip-and-withdraw produces much more uniform layers over the core region. The propagation of induced fracturing over the core region during drying is overcome using a simple protrusion of the inner cladding. Thick coatings are discernible through thin film interference colouring, but thinner coatings require scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging. Here, we show that fluorescence imaging, using Rhodamine B, in this example, can provide some qualitative and speedy assessment of coverage.

RT Self-assembly of Silica Nanoparticles on Optical Fibres

The room temperature deposition of self-assembling silica nanoparticles onto D-shaped optical fibres (“D-fibre”), drawn from milled preforms fabricated by modified chemical vapor deposition, is studied and preliminary results reported here.

Exploring the room temperature self-assembly of silica nanoparticle layers on optical fibres

The room temperature deposition of self-assembling silica nanoparticles onto D-shaped optical fibres (“D-fibre”), drawn from milled preforms fabricated by modified chemical vapor deposition, is studied and preliminary results reported here. Of various techniques explored, an automated “dip-and-withdraw” approach is found to give the most reproducible layers. Vertical dip-and-withdraw produces tapered layers with one end thicker (surface coverage < 0.85) than the other whilst horizontal dip-and-withdraw produces much more uniform layers over the core region. The problem of induced fracturing is shown to originate from the sides of the D-fibre flat, attributed to an extended, linear “coffee stain effect”, and is greatest for horizontal dip-and-withdraw. Under optimal preparation conditions they can be minimised and prevented from extending over the core region. Alternatively, these structures can be made periodic potentially enabling some unique structures to be fabricated since post-deposition of functional species will be highest in these cracks.