Document Type

Conference Paper

Rights

This item is available under a Creative Commons License for non-commercial use only

Disciplines

Physical chemistry, Analytical chemistry, Composites, Nano-materials

Publication Details

ECS Transactions vol 19, (2009) 181-190

Abstract

Humidity sensing is of particular concern for many industrial

applications. Humidity sensors have typically been based on a

reversible interaction between a polymer and water vapour. There

is work published on gas sensors based on polymer gold

nanoparticle composites, where the conductivity of the composite

decreases on interaction with the gas. This happens because the

swelling of the polymer which increases the electron hopping

distance between the gold nanoparticles.

The device in this work is a poly vinyl alcohol silver nanoparticle

composite cast on an interdigital electrode array. On application of

a dc bias, a current develops which is proportional to levels of

humidity from 10% to 60%. The response is reversible and fast at

room temperature. Details are provided of the synthesis,

characterisation and use of the composite for humidity sensing. In

addition the device forms the basis of a sensor for an array of gases.


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