Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

PVA/gelatin/chitin ternary blend as a humidity sensing material

  • Published:
Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

PVA/gelatin/chitin ternary polymer blends, with different weight ratios, were developed and characterized by employing ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and DSC, and in terms of mechanical properties, electrical characteristics, water absorption rate, and antibacterial features. The FTIR examinations indicated the physico-chemical interactions being developed upon blending. The XRD patterns showed that the crystallinity of PVA matrix changed by the presence of gelatin and chitin. The gelatin content has been found to contribute toward a better water absorption ability for the blends. Electrical conductivity measurements of the blends pointed toward an increase in conductivity with chitin content. The resistance change of the blends under different humidity levels (11–84%) was measured. The stability and response time of a humidity sensor developed from an optimized blend were also examined. The developed films showed good resistance against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. The findings highlight the possibility for the fabrication of good, user-friendly antimicrobial humidity sensors from the new blend system.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18
Fig. 19

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

Not applicable.

Code availability

Not applicable.

References

  1. S. Shapardanis, M. Hudpeth, T. Kaya, Gelatin as a new humidity sensing material: characterization and limitations. AIP Adv 4, 127132 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4904724

  2. J.H. Park, S.J. Park, Effect of V2O5 on the electrical properties of TiO2-V2O5 humidity sensors. J Mater Sci Mater Elect 5, 300–304 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00921256

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. R. Kumar, B.C. Yadav, Fabrication of polyaniline (PANI)—tungsten oxide (WO3) composite for humidity sensing application. J. Inorg. Organomet. Polym Mater. 26, 1421–1427 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10904-016-0412-9

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. L.W. Lim, F. Aziz, Z. Ahmad, N.A. Roslan, A. Supangat, K. Sulaiman, Planar capacitive type humidity sensor fabricated using PTB7-Th by facile solution processing approach. Appl. Phys. A 125, 16 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-018-2297-7

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. S.W. Yun, M.S. Gong, Preparation of flexible resistive micro-humidity sensors using quaternary ammonium salt-modified graphene oxide and their humidity-sensing properties. Macromol. Res. 22, 1043–1049 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13233-014-2145-3

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. H.Y Ahn, J.G Kim, M.S. Gong, Preparation of flexible resistive humidity sensors with different electrode gaps by screen printing and their humidity-sensing properties. Macromol Res 20, 174–180 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13233-012-0085-3

  7. H.U. Khan, M. Tariq, M. Shah, M.T. Jan, M. Iqbal, J. Khan, A.R. Ahsan, A. Rahim, The efficacy of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/CuO nanocomposite as an appropriate room temperature humidity sensing material: fabrication of highly sensitive capacitive resistive type humidity sensor. J Mater Sci Mater Elect 31, 7698–7707 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-020-03305-x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. S. Dixit, K.C Dubey, K.P. Mishra, R.K. Shukla, S. Atul, S. Anchal, Humidity sensing property of zinc oxide film deposited by PLD. MRS Online Proc Lib 1074, 10740527 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1557/PROC-1074-I05-27

  9. E. Zhang, D. Lu, S. Zhang, X. Gui, H. Guan, Z. Zhang, Y. Lin, J. Ming, J. Hong, J. Dong, X. Wang, W. Qiu, W. Yu, H. Lu, Z. Chen, High-sensitivity fiber-optic humidity sensor based on microfiber overlaid with niobium disulfide. J Mater Sci 55, 16576–16587 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-020-05230-0

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. J.S. Kim, T.J. Kim, M.S. Kang, K.P. Yoo, N.K. Min, High-speed, high-sensitivity polyimide humidity sensors based on MEMS microhotplates. MRS Online Proc Lib 1075, 10750704 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1557/PROC-1075-J07-04

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Q. Cheng, A. Zhang, H. Pan, W. Li, C. Sun, Humidity and temperature sensor based on GOQDs-PVA coated tapered no-core fiber combined with FBG. Optoelect Lett 16, 428–432 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11801-020-9215-x

  12. M.T Ramesan, P. Jayakrishnan, T. Anilkumar, G. Mathew, Influence of copper sulphide nanoparticles on the structural, mechanical and dielectric properties of poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) blend nanocomposites. J Mater Sci Mater Elect 29, 1992–2000 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-017-8110-0

  13. B.B. Cunha, M.W.C.C. Greenshields, M.A. Mamo, N.J. Coville, I.A. Hümmelgen, A surfactant dispersed N-doped carbon sphere-poly(vinyl alcohol) composite as relative humidity sensor. J Mater Sci Mater Elect 26, 4198–4201 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-015-2966-7

  14. M.A. Mamo, A.O. Sustaita, Z.N. Tetana, I. Hummelgon, Undoped, nitrogen-doped and boron-doped multiwalled carbon nanotube/poly(vinyl alcohol) composite as active layer in simple hydrostatic pressure sensors. J Mater Sci Mater Elect 24, 3995–4000 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-013-1352-6

  15. N. Azizun, W.M. Khairul, A.I. Daud, N.M. Sarbon, Effect of pH on functional, gas sensing and antimicrobial properties of bio-nanocomposite gelatin film for food packaging application. J Food Sci Technol 58, 3338–3345 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-020-04893-6

  16. K.S. Vasanthan, A. Subramaniam, U.M. Krishnan, S. Swaminathan, Influence of 3D porous galactose containing PVA/gelatin hydrogel scaffolds on three-dimensional spheroidal morphology of hepatocytes. J Mater Sci Mater Med 26, 20 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-014-5345-7

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Y.W. Won, Y.H. Kim, Preparation and cytotoxicity comparison of type a gelatin nanoparticle with recombinant human gelatin nanoparticles. Macromol. Res. 17, 464–468 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03218893

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. K. Pal, A.K. Banthia, D.K. Majumdar, Preparation and characterization of polyvinyl alcohol-gelatin hydrogel membranes for biomedical applications. AAPS PharmSciTech 8, 142–146 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1208/pt080121

  19. E.I. Kulish, S.V. Kolesov, A study of structure formation in chitosan-polyvinyl alcohol blends by turbidity spectroscopy. Russ. J. Appl. Chem. 78, 1486–1488 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11167-005-0543-1

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. J.L. Kerwin, Specific induction of encystment ofLagenidium giganteum zoospores by concanavalin A and derivatives of chitin and chitosan. Protoplasma 163, 207 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01323346

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. M. Zuber, K.M. Zia, M. Barikani, Chitin and chitosan based blends, composites and nanocomposites. Adv Nat Polym 18, 55–99 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-20940-6_3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. N. Yasrebi, J. Moghaddas, Study on the effect of humidity on electrical properties of copper-silica aerogel. Iran J Chem Eng 12, 3–12(2015). https://www.sid.ir/en/journal/viewpaper.aspx?id=457728

  23. K.S. Samaher, M.M. Lubna, A.F.M Rahman, M. Nurnabi, R. Islam, M.A. Khan, The effect of multiwall carbon nanotube additions on the thermo-mechanical, electrical, and morphological properties of gelatin-polyvinyl alcohol blend nanocomposite. J Comp Mater 49, 1379–1391(2015). https://doi.org/10.1177/0021998314534704

  24. P.M. Das, P.R. Suguna, K. Prasad, J. Vijaylakshmi, M. Renuka, Extraction and characterization of gelatin: a functional biopolymer. Int J Pharm Pharm Sci 9, 239–242(2017). https://doi.org/10.22159/ijpps.2017v9i9.17618

  25. S.M. Pawde, K. Deshmukh, S. Parab, Preparation and characterization of poly(vinyl alcohol) and gelatin blend films. J Appl Polym Sci 109, 1328–1337(2008). https://doi.org/10.1002/app.28096

  26. S. Gupta, A.K. Pramanik, A. Kailath, M. Trilochan, A. Guha, S. Nayar, A. Sinha, Composition dependent structural modulations in transparent poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels. Coll Surf B Biointerf 74, 186–190, (2009). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfb.2009.07.015

  27. P. Liu, W. Chen, C. Liu, M. Tian, P. Liu, A novel poly (vinyl alcohol)/poly (ethylene glycol) scaffold for tissue engineering with a unique bimodal open-celled structure fabricated using supercritical fluid foaming. Scientific Rep 9, 1–12, (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-46061-7

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to Dr. Rarima and Dr. Shafeeq V.H of Polymer Science and Technology Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology, Calicut, Kerala, India. They also acknowledge the help received from Mr. K.Juraij, Material Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology, Calicut, Kerala, India.

Funding

The authors did not receive support from any organization for the submitted work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, NIT Calicut, Kattangal, Kerala, 673601, India

    V. M. Afnas & G. Unnikrishnan

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, NIT Calicut, Kattangal, Kerala, 673601, India

    V. M. Afnas & S. Budhe

  3. RAHS Innovation Centre, Technology Business Incubator, NIT Calicut, Kattangal, Kerala, 673601, India

    O. Manaf & J. Ameen

Authors
  1. V. M. Afnas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. G. Unnikrishnan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S. Budhe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. O. Manaf
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. J. Ameen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

The authors jointly agree to publish the contents in Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to G. Unnikrishnan.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationship that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Ethical approval

We hereby declare that the manuscript is original based on the work carried out by us in our laboratory.

Consent to participate

Not applicable.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Afnas, V.M., Unnikrishnan, G., Budhe, S. et al. PVA/gelatin/chitin ternary blend as a humidity sensing material. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 33, 2031–2043 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-021-07406-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-021-07406-z

Search

Navigation