DC humidity sensing properties of BaTiO3 nanofiber sensors with different electrode materials

Barium titanate (BaTiO3) nanofibers were synthesized by electrospinning and calcination techniques. Two direct current (DC) humidity sensors with different electrodes (Al and Ag) were fabricated by loading BaTiO3 nanofibers as the sensing material. Compared with the Al electrode sensor, the Ag electrode sensor exhibits larger sensitivity and quicker response/recovery. The current of Al electrode sensor increases from 4.08 x 10(-9) to 1.68 x 10(-7) A when the sensor is switched from 11% to 95% relative humidity (RH), while the values are 2.19 x 10(-9) and 3.29 x 10(-7) A for the Ag electrode sensor, respectively. The corresponding response and recovery times are 30 and 9 s for Al electrode sensor, and 20 and 3 s for Ag electrode sensor. respectively. These results make BaTiO3 nanofiber-based DC humidity sensors good candidates for practical application. Simultaneously, the comparison of sensors with different electrode materials may offer an effective route for designing and optimizing humidity sensors. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.