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Research on highly sensitive humidity sensor based on Tr-MWCNT/HEC composite films

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 November 2014

Dayue Wang ,
Ying Huang Open the ORCID record for Ying Huang [Opens in a new window] ,
Yangyang Ma ,
Ping Liu ,
Caixia Liu  and
Yugang Zhang
Dayue Wang
Affiliation:
School of Electronic Science and Applied Physics, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, People's Republic of China
Ying Huang*
Affiliation:
School of Electronic Science and Applied Physics, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, People's Republic of China; and Institute of Intelligence Machines, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, People's Republic of China
Yangyang Ma*
Affiliation:
School of Electronic Science and Applied Physics, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, People's Republic of China
Ping Liu
Affiliation:
School of Electronic Science and Applied Physics, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, People's Republic of China
Caixia Liu
Affiliation:
School of Electronic Science and Applied Physics, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, People's Republic of China
Yugang Zhang
Affiliation:
School of Electronic Science and Applied Physics, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, People's Republic of China
*
a)Address all correspondence to this author. e-mail: hf.hy@163.com
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Abstract

This study demonstrates a highly sensitive humidity sensor based on treated multiwalled carbon nanotube (tr-MWCNT) and hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) composite films. Tr-MWCNTs are obtained by mixed acid treatment to enhance their hydrophilicity and improve their dispersion in distilled water. Compared to tr-MWCNT/silicone rubber (SR) composite film, the humidity sensitivity of tr-MWCNT/HEC film is much higher than tr-MWCNT/SR film with the same film thickness. The humidity sensing mechanisms of tr-MWCNT/HEC composites are explained by electron donation model and swelling mechanism. Speaking and blowing experiments were also carried out and the results show that tr-MWCNT/HEC composite film is sensitive to both speaking and blowing; furthermore, it can distinguish the small humidity level difference between speaking and blowing. Other sensing characteristics, including response and recovery time, stability, and temperature effect, are also investigated. The high humidity sensitivity of tr-MWCNT/HEC composite film indicates that it can be an excellent humidity sensitive material.

Keywords

resistive sensorhumidity sensorMWCNTsHECcomposite
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Materials Research , Volume 29 , Issue 23 , 14 December 2014 , pp. 2845 - 2853
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2014 

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