Preparation of a PEO/ZnO composite for high-sensitivity humidity sensors and its humidity-sensing mechanism
摘要
In this paper, polyethylene oxide/zinc oxide (PEO/ZnO) composites with high humidity sensitivity were prepared by a hydrothermal method. The morphology, microstructure, phase composition, functional groups, and constituent elements of PEO/ZnO composites were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The humidity-sensing performance of PEO/ZnO composites in environments with different relative humidity values (11–95% RH) was tested at room temperature. The experimental results showed that the PEO/ZnO humidity sensor had a high response (12627/95% RH), fast response/recovery time (31 s/6 s), good linearity, and excellent long-term stability. The humidity-sensing mechanism of PEO/ZnO composites in high and low-humidity environments was analyzed by complex impedance spectroscopy (CIS). The results showed that PEO/ZnO composites have great potential applications for manufacturing humidity sensors.