The synthesis of a Cu0.8Zn0.2Sb2-polyacrylamide nanocomposite by frontal polymerization for moisture and photodetection performance

Herein, the preparation of a Cu(0.8)Zn(0.2)Sb(2)AAm-polymer nanocomposite synthesized via a frontal polymerization technique is reported, together with its humidity sensing and photoconductive behaviour. The surface texture was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies confirm the crystallinity of the as-fabricated nanocomposite thin film based sensing element. The surface area, particle size, optical absorbance, and thermal stability of the as-fabricated thin film were successively investigated using Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, particle size analysis, ultra-violet absorption studies, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) analysis. The humidity sensing characteristics were also investigated based on the capacitive performance of Cu(0.8)Zn(0.2)Sb(2)AAm film when exposed to moisture. The average sensitivity (S) of the as-fabricated sensor was found to be similar to 168.477 pF/% RH at an optimum frequency of 20 Hz. The sensor exhibited rapid response and recovery times of 4.6 s and 5.6 s, respectively, with persistent stability of 96% after 60 d. Thus, the Cu(0.8)Zn(0.2)Sb(2)AAm polymer-based capacitive humidity sensor shows its potential for reliable and safe use in the detection of humidity levels, as well as for photoconduction.