Electroactive fiber optics for real-time, multiscale probing of ion transport and interfacial chemistry
Abstract
Understanding charge dynamics at electrochemical interfaces is essential for establishing the basic mechanisms that underpin the functionality of energy storage devices and ultimately improve their performance, safety and longevity. However, direct, time-resolved access to such information remains challenging due to the complex and convoluted conditions necessary for charge transfer between materials and phases. Here, we report an electroactive fiber-optic device that integrates plasmonic sensing with electrochemical functionality, enabling real-time, multi-scale tracking of interfacial physicochemical changes. Gold-coated tilted fiber Bragg gratings were employed as dual-purpose sensors, simultaneously acting as working electrodes and optical probes of the resulting dynamics. By quantifying spectral response we demonstrate the ability to discriminate charge transfer phenomena across multiple regimes: double-layer formation, ionic and molecular adsorption, faradaic reactions involving both soluble redox species and immobilized thin solid films. By integrating a novel ‘optical-mass’ sensitivity concept, this approach unlocks access to comprehensive operando, real-time monitoring in both aqueous and organic electrolytes. As a first step toward practical deployment, we further demonstrate the feasibility of embedding a surface plasmon resonance tilted fiber Bragg grating sensor within a sealed 18650 Na-ion cell, enabling simultaneous electrochemical and optical interrogation of parasitic redox processes during formation. These results provide a new foundation for non-invasive, mechanistic studies of critical importance to energy storage, electrocatalysis and advanced materials technologies.
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BibTeX
@article{safarik2026electroactive,
title = {{Electroactive fiber optics for real-time, multiscale probing of ion transport and interfacial chemistry}},
author = {Tatjana Šafarik and Frédéric Kanoufi and Médéric Loyez and Hadrien Fasseaux and David Aymé-Perrot and Nilanka M. Keppetipola and Murugasenapathi N K and Steven T. Boles and Christophe Caucheteur and Jean-Marie Tarascon},
journal = {Light: Science \& Applications},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.1038/s41377-026-02521-0},
url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s41377-026-02521-0},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Electroactive fiber optics for real-time, multiscale probing of ion transport and interfacial chemistry
AU - Tatjana Šafarik
AU - Frédéric Kanoufi
AU - Médéric Loyez
AU - Hadrien Fasseaux
AU - David Aymé-Perrot
AU - Nilanka M. Keppetipola
AU - Murugasenapathi N K
AU - Steven T. Boles
AU - Christophe Caucheteur
AU - Jean-Marie Tarascon
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/09
JO - Light: Science & Applications
DO - 10.1038/s41377-026-02521-0
UR - https://www.nature.com/articles/s41377-026-02521-0
AB - Understanding charge dynamics at electrochemical interfaces is essential for establishing the basic mechanisms that underpin the functionality of energy storage devices and ultimately improve their performance, safety and longevity. However, direct, time-resolved access to such information remains challenging due to the complex and convoluted conditions necessary for charge transfer between materials and phases. Here, we report an electroactive fiber-optic device that integrates plasmonic sensing with electrochemical functionality, enabling real-time, multi-scale tracking of interfacial physicochemical changes. Gold-coated tilted fiber Bragg gratings were employed as dual-purpose sensors, simultaneously acting as working electrodes and optical probes of the resulting dynamics. By quantifying spectral response we demonstrate the ability to discriminate charge transfer phenomena across multiple regimes: double-layer formation, ionic and molecular adsorption, faradaic reactions involving both soluble redox species and immobilized thin solid films. By integrating a novel ‘optical-mass’ sensitivity concept, this approach unlocks access to comprehensive operando, real-time monitoring in both aqueous and organic electrolytes. As a first step toward practical deployment, we further demonstrate the feasibility of embedding a surface plasmon resonance tilted fiber Bragg grating sensor within a sealed 18650 Na-ion cell, enabling simultaneous electrochemical and optical interrogation of parasitic redox processes during formation. These results provide a new foundation for non-invasive, mechanistic studies of critical importance to energy storage, electrocatalysis and advanced materials technologies.
SN - 2047-7538
ER -