M.Sc. Eng. Patryk Radek presented a paper entitled “Fiber-Optic Interferometric Sensor with a PVDF Coating for PFAS Detection in Water” at the 25th National Conference on Electronics (KKE), held on 14–18 June 2026. The conference served as a platform for knowledge exchange among researchers and engineers working in the fields of electronics, photonics, sensor technologies, and advanced measurement methods. The presented work was aligned with the areas of fiber-optic photonics and optical sensors for environmental applications.
The presentation focused on the development of a Fabry–Pérot fiber-optic interferometric sensor coated with poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) for the detection of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water. Due to their high chemical stability, resistance to degradation, and ability to migrate within aquatic environments, PFAS compounds represent a significant environmental and analytical challenge. Although conventional PFAS detection methods provide high accuracy, they require expensive laboratory instrumentation and are not suitable for continuous in situ monitoring. Therefore, the development of compact optical sensors capable of operating directly in aqueous environments has become an important research direction.
In the presented study, a thin PVDF layer deposited on the tip of a single-mode optical fiber was proposed as the sensing medium. This layer forms an interferometric cavity in which the interaction with PFAS compounds induces changes in the optical properties of the structure, observed as a spectral peak shift. The work discussed the preparation of the coating using the dip-coating method, the characterization of its surface morphology, and the measurement results obtained for ultrapure water and PFOS solutions. The results demonstrated that the sensor responds to the presence of PFOS even at very low concentrations, confirming the potential of this technology for the development of novel PFAS detection methods in aquatic environments.
The significance of the research was recognized by an award granted by the Scientific Committee of the 25th National Conference on Electronics as part of the “Young Researchers” competition in the thematic area of Fiber-Optic Photonics and Space Technologies. This distinction confirms both the scientific value of the presented work and its application potential in the field of advanced fiber-optic sensors for environmental pollution monitoring.
