Preparation and humidity sensing properties of Ba0.8Sr0.2TiO3 nanofibers via electrospinning

Ba0.8Sr0.2TiO3/Poly (vinylpyrrolidone) (BST/PVP) composite fibers were successfully synthesized via electrospinning. The ceramic nanofibers were obtained after calcining the composite at 800 degrees C for 2 h. The morphology and structure of the BST fibers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results reveal that the as-synthesized BST nanofibers show a diameter of 50-150 nm with the length over 0.1 mm, and a well-defined perovskite crystal structure. The electrical properties of the as-synthesized BST nanofibers were investigated through an impedance-type humidity sensor. The nanofibers exhibited excellent humidity sensing properties at room temperature. The possible sensing mechanism was proposed. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.