Synthesis and characterization of Znx-1Al2O4(TiO2)x nanocomposite ceramics and their humidity sensing properties

The present study focuses on the sol-gel synthesis and investigation of Znx-1Al2O4(TiO2)(x) nanocomposite ceramics prepared by varying x = 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 mol. The choice of the sol-gel method lies in its versatility and straightforward approach. The pristine ZnAl2O4 (ZAT(0.0)) sample revealed the cubic phase of spinel ZnAl2O4 with an additional TiO2 tetragonal phase in the composite samples of Znx-1Al2O4(TiO2)(x). Raman spectroscopy confirmed the vibrational modes of the constituent's bonds. The surface morphology investigation demonstrated the spherical grains having their mean diameter of 16.13 nm, 13.76 nm, 13.27 nm, and 12.43 nm corresponding to the samples ZAT(0.0), ZAT(0.1,) ZAT(0.3,) and ZAT(0.5) prepared by varying the composition x = 0, 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 mol, respectively. The X-ray dispersive spectroscopy analysis evidenced the elemental compositions of Zn, O, Al and Ti in the samples. Further, these prepared ceramic samples are evaluated for their humidity sensing application and noticed that the humidity sensor made of ZAT(0.5) ceramic demonstrated its better response and recovery times for a month. Briefly, the sol-gel derived nanocomposite ceramics are found suitable for fabricating inexpensive resistive humidity sensors.

Automated summary

The present study focuses on the sol-gel synthesis and investigation of Znx-1Al2O4(TiO2)(x) nanocomposite ceramics prepared by varying x = 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 mol. The ceramic samples showed promising humidity sensing properties, with the ZAT(0.5) sample exhibiting the best response and recovery times.