Shenzhen Advanced Institute developed the first black phosphorus fiber chemical sensor for ultra-sensitive detection of heavy metal ions

Recently, a groundbreaking development has taken place in the field of chemical sensing. Researchers from the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences—Lv Jiancheng and Yu Xuefeng—alongside Professor Chen Xianfeng from the University of Bangor in the UK, have introduced the first black phosphorus-based optical fiber sensor capable of ultra-sensitive detection of heavy metal ions. This innovation marks a significant step forward in environmental monitoring and biomedical applications.

The team integrated black phosphorus with a tilted fiber grating to leverage its unique optical properties. By utilizing the special structure of the tilted grating, they created an advanced chemical sensor that offers exceptional sensitivity. To enhance the performance, the researchers developed an in-situ lamination technique to efficiently attach black phosphorus nanosheets onto the fiber surface. The varying thicknesses of these nanolayers allowed for precise modulation of optical signals, enabling the sensor to detect lead ions at sub-ppb levels with remarkable accuracy.

This new black phosphorus fiber sensor not only provides ultra-high sensitivity and a wide detection range but also opens up new possibilities for real-time and on-site monitoring of pollutants. With such high performance, it is expected to become a powerful tool in the development of next-generation biosensors and environmental monitoring systems.

Figure a): Black phosphorus tilted fiber grating device and its optical modulation diagram, b): experimental steps for heavy metal ion detection,

c): Spectral diagram of TM mode resonance at different heavy metal ion concentrations, d): Resonance intensity of the spectrum at different heavy metal ion concentrations

The findings have been published in the prestigious journal "Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical." The research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme, highlighting the global interest in this promising technology.