Abstract
New systems with innovative design to perform measurements combining electrochemistry and surface plasmon resonance (ESPR) are currently a need to overcome the limitations of existent market solutions and expand the research possibilities of this technology. The main goal of this work was to develop a new cell to increase ESPR practical applications in several fields. To do so, a homemade SPR cell, fabricated by 3D-printing technology, was adapted for this purpose by incorporating the conventional 3-electrodes to perform the electrochemical experiments. The developed cell was fully compatible with commercial SPR substrates. After optimization of the homemade ESPR setup to perform the combined electrochemical and SPR measurements, two main applications were explored in this work. The first was the use of ESPR technology as straightforward tool to simultaneously investigate the electrical and optical properties of conducing/nonconducting polymers electrosynthetized on the SPR platforms. The conducting polymer poly(thionine) was used in this work for proof-of- concept. The second application envisaged the use of ESPR approach for simple electrodeposition of materials with enhanced plasmonic properties for sensitivity enhancement of SPR biosensors. For validation of the concept, graphene oxide (GO) was electrochemically reduced on gold substrates aiming to evaluate the plasmonic properties of graphene-modified sensing surfaces.

Abstract
Carbon dioxide (CO2) holds paramount significance in nature, serving as a vital component in Earth's ecosystems. Its evaluation has become increasingly important across various sectors, spanning from environmental conservation to industrial operations. Therefore, this study investigates the viability of utilizing a pH colorimetric dye as a CO2-sensitive material. The material's effectiveness relies on chemical modifications induced in the dye structure through the action of a phase transfer agent, which establishes a stable equilibrium with the dye, thereby promoting its receptivity to CO2 molecules. As the resulting physicochemical changes primarily exhibit colorimetric alterations, an optical system was developed to assess the performance of this material upon exposure to CO2. Employing a dual-wavelength method, the system also incorporates a ratiometric relationship between the two signals to provide the most precise information. The conducted experiments generated promising results when the dye was subjected to varying concentrations of CO2, ranging from 0% to 4%, in comparison to nitrogen (N-2). The application of the ratiometric method emerged as a crucial factor in this system, enabling its potential use in environments characterized by instability. Finally, the dye-sensitive characteristics experienced enhancement through the integration of an ionic liquid within the membrane matrix.

Abstract
Energy consumption has increased exponentially due to population growth leading to an increasing impact on natural resources. Green hydrogen (H-2) offers a safer alternative to fossil fuels, making it a promising alternative for sustainable energy consumption. However, due to H-2's flammability it is crucial to monitor its concentrations in the environment. Optical sensors have been developed to monitor H-2 concentrations in harsh environments with high sensitivity and remote measurement. In this work, a numerical study and experimental validation of an optical fiber sensor based on Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) for H-2 detection are presented. This sensor is composed of a multi-mode fiber with a SPR structure of a metal/dielectric/Pd, where the Pd acts as a sensitive layer. The plasmonic active materials studied are Ag and Au, while TiO2 and SiO2 are used as dielectrics, finding that the metal materials have more impact on the SPR band definition, while the dielectric layers have an impact on the band spectral position. The optimized configuration with 25nm/60nm/3nm of Au/TiO2/Pd was experimentally developed, obtaining a wavelength shift of 19nm for 2kPa of H-2, validating the numerical results, and confirming the possibility of using this type of system for H-2 detection.

Abstract
Structural health monitoring (SHM) of reinforced concrete structures (RCS) is crucial for mitigating the consequences of their deterioration. By identifying and addressing the issues early, SHM helps reduce environmental impact, safeguard lives, and enhance economic resilience. Rebar corrosion is a leading cause of early RCS decay and optical fibre sensors (OFS) have been employed for its monitoring. Reflection optrodes using optical fibres where the tip is coated with iron (Fe) thin films offer a robust, long-lasting and straightforward solution. This study investigates the tracking of spectral changes during the Fe thin film corrosion, which has been neglected in the literature, in favour of tracking reflection changes from thin film spalling. A multimode fibre tip, coated with a thin Fe layer embedded in concrete, allows spectral changes to be observed during corrosion. A 100 nm thick Fe film was deposited using radio frequency magnetron sputtering on polished fibre tips. Corrosion was induced by applying salted water drops and allowing the fibre tip to dry. Corrosion monitoring was successful for both air-exposed and cement-embedded tips, with results compared to reflection simulations of Fe, Fe2O3, and Fe2O3 thin films. This study supports monitoring at different wavelengths, enhancing robustness, cost-effectiveness and earlier detection. © The Authors.

Abstract
Due to the exponential increase in energy consumption and CO2 emissions, new sustainable energy sources have emerged, and hydrogen (H2) is one of them. Despite all the advantages, H2 has high flammability, so constant monitoring is essential. Two optical techniques were numerically studied and compared with the goal of H2 sensing: surface plasmon polaritons (SPP) and Tamm plasmon polaritons (TPP). The H2-sensitive material used was palladium (Pd) in both techniques. The SPP structure was found to have more sensitivity to H2 than TPP, 23 and 5nm/4vol% H2, respectively. However, the latter has lower FWHM, with the minimum of the band showing reflectivity near 0%. In addition, TPP also uses more cost-effective materials and can be interrogated at normal incidence with depolarized light. The potential of using each of these optical techniques for H2 sensing was demonstrated. © The Authors.

Abstract
Ethanol plays a crucial role in modern industrial processes and consumer products. Despite its presence in human activity, short and long-term exposure to gaseous ethanol poses risks to health conditions and material damage, making the control of its concentration in the atmosphere of high importance. Ethanol optical sensors based on electromagnetic surface waves (ESWs) are presented, with sensitivity to ethanol vapours being achieved by the inclusion of ethanol-adsorptive zinc oxide (ZnO) layers. The changes in optical properties modulate the resonant conditions of ESWs, enabling the tracking of ethanol concentration in the atmosphere. A comprehensive comparative study of sensor performance is carried out between surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and Bloch surface wave (BSW) based sensors. Sensor efficiency is simulated by transfer matrix method towards optimized figures of merit (FoM). Preliminary results validate ethanol sensitivity of BSW based sensor, showcasing a possible alternative to electromagnetic and plasmonic sensors. © The Authors.