Fiber optic chemical sensor for nitrite based on an electropolymerized cobaltporphyrin film.

Fiber optic sensors for nitrite were prepared by first electrochemically depositing a film of cobalt(II) tetrakis(o-aminophenyl)porphyrin, [Co(o-NH(2))TPP], on the surface of indium(tin) oxide glass slides. Then, the slides with the immobilized porphyrin were positioned at the tip of an optical fiber bundle. The response of the sensors was based on a change in absorbance caused by the interaction between nitrite and the poly[Co(o-NH(2))TPP] film. The sensors had a detection limit of 6 x 10(-9)M nitrite. The selectivity of the sensors was determined under both separate solutions and fixed interference conditions. The sensor had a long lifetime and was reversible.