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Evaluation of humidity sensing properties of TMBHPET thin film embedded with spinel cobalt ferrite nanoparticles

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Abstract

In this study, we report the enhanced sensing parameters of previously reported TMBHPET-based humidity sensor. Significant improved sensing performance has been demonstrated by coupling of TMBHPET moisture sensing thin film with cobalt ferrite nanoparticles (synthesized by eco-benign ultrasonic method). The mean size of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles has been estimated to be ~ 6.5 nm. It is assumed that the thin film of organic–ceramic hybrid matrix (TMBHPET:CoFe2O4) is a potential candidate for humidity sensing utility by virtue of its high specific surface area and porous surface morphology (as evident from TEM, FESEM, and AFM images). The hybrid suspension has been drop-cast onto the glass substrate with preliminary deposited coplanar aluminum electrodes separated by 40 µm distance. The influence of humidity on the capacitance of the hybrid humidity sensor (Al/TMBHPET:CoFe2O4/Al) has been investigated at three different frequencies of the AC applied voltage (V rms ~ 1 V): 100 Hz, 1 kHz, and 10 kHz. It has been observed that at 100 Hz, under a humidity of 99 % RH, the capacitance of the sensor increased by 2.61 times, with respect to 30 % RH condition. The proposed sensor exhibits significantly improved sensitivity ~560 fF/ % RH at 100 Hz, which is nearly 7.5 times as high as that of pristine TMBHPET-based humidity sensor. Further, the capacitive sensor exhibits improved dynamic range (30–99 % RH), small hysteresis (~2.3 %), and relatively quicker response and recovery times (~12 s, 14 s, respectively). It is assumed that the humidity response of the sensor is associated with the diffusion kinetics of water vapors and doping of the semiconductor nanocomposite by water molecules.

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Acknowledgment

The authors (Q. Z, M. I. A., and K. S.) are thankful to the Ministry of Education for the financial support under High Impact Research (HIR) Grant UM.S/625/3/HIR/MOE/26 with account number UM.0000080/HIR.C3 and University Malaya Research Grant (UMRG) under Grant number RP007A-13AFR. The author (A. G. S.) is thankful to the Promising Centre for Sensors and Electronic Devices (PCSED) at Najran University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for support of this research through Grant number PCSED-005-14.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Low Dimensional Materials Research Centre, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Qayyum Zafar, Mohamad Izzat Azmer & Khaulah Sulaiman

  2. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, P. O. Box 9004, Abha, 61413, Saudi Arabia

    Abdullah G. Al-Sehemi & Abul Kalam

  3. Unit of Science and Technology, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, P. O. Box 9004, Abha, 61413, Saudi Arabia

    Abdullah G. Al-Sehemi

  4. Research Center for Advanced Materials Science, King Khalid University, P. O. Box 9004, Abha, 61413, Saudi Arabia

    Abdullah G. Al-Sehemi & Abul Kalam

  5. Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences and Arts, Najran University, P.O. Box 1988, Najran, 11001, Saudi Arabia

    Mohammad S. Al-Assiri

  6. Promising Centre for Sensors and Electronic Devices (PCSED), Najran University, P.O. Box 1988, Najran, 11001, Saudi Arabia

    Mohammad S. Al-Assiri

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  1. Qayyum Zafar
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  2. Mohamad Izzat Azmer
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Correspondence to Qayyum Zafar.

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Zafar, Q., Azmer, M.I., Al-Sehemi, A.G. et al. Evaluation of humidity sensing properties of TMBHPET thin film embedded with spinel cobalt ferrite nanoparticles. J Nanopart Res 18, 186 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-016-3488-9

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