Humidity sensing and electrical properties of a composite material of nano-sized SiO2 and poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonate)

A composite material of nano-sized SiO₂ and poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonate) (poly(AMPS)) was used to make a humidity sensor. The infrared (IR) spectra and microstructure of the material were analyzed, and the humidity sensing and electrical properties of the sensor were measured. The sensor well responded to humidity with a relative good linearity, though it depended on the applied frequency. The temperature influence between 15 and 35 °C was −0.71 and −0.15% RH/°C at 30 and 90% RH, respectively. The sensor showed a negligible hysteresis and fast response time upon humidification and desiccation. The stability of the sensor in a highly humid and alcoholic environment increased with increasing the SiO₂ content. The activation energy for conduction reduced with water adsorption. The different impedance plots observed at low and high relative humidity suggested different sensing mechanisms of the SiO₂/poly(AMPS) composite material.