Ultrasensitive and reversible room-temperature resistive humidity sensor based on layered two-dimensional titanium carbide

The nanostructured two-dimensional (2D) materials for humidity sensing applications have become increasingly attractive. However, 2D materials have negative aspects of easily stacking and agglomerating multilayers. Here, a novel resistive-type humidity sensor utilizing multi-layer titanium carbide (Ti3C2Tx) films as sensitive material is demonstrated. The humidity sensor exhibits an ultrasensitive and reversible sensing performance in a wide relative humidity range. Furthermore, the ultrafast response and recovery properties are achieved at room temperature. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy is used to investigate the adsorption of water vapor on Ti3C2Tx surfaces. A rapid capillary condensation of water vapor on the unique accordion-like microstructures and the hierarchical nanostructures of hydroxyl-riched Ti3C2Tx surface are supposed to be responsible for the super adsorption capability for water vapor. The electrostatic field induced by adsorbed water molecules is proposed to explain the resistance change of the titanium carbide humidity sensor. This work highlights the unique advantages of humidity sensor with layered 2D materials of Ti3C2Tx MXenes, including ultrasensitive, good reversibility and fast recovery at room temperature.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates a novel resistive-type humidity sensor utilizing multi-layer titanium carbide films as sensitive material, showing ultra-sensitive and reversible sensing performance, along with ultrafast response and recovery properties at room temperature.