First-principle and experiment investigation of MoS2@SnO2 nano-heterogeneous structures with enhanced humidity sensing performance

In this work, we report the First-principle investigation and synthesis of MoS2@SnO2 heterostructure as high-performance humidity sensor by a two-step hydrothermal method. The first-principles calculations were performed to explain water molecule adsorption mechanism by applying density of state model to simulate the interaction between water molecule and sensing base material. The higher specific surface and the lower adsorption energy theoretically predicted the improvement on humidity sensing performance, which was confirmed by experiments testing. The MoS2@SnO2 heterostructure exhibited promoted humidity sensing characteristics on response time of 53 s and recovery time of 21 s, while switching the humidity between 11% relative humidity (RH) and 95% RH. The corresponding humidity sensing mechanisms of MoS2@SnO2 were elaborately interpreted. This work could bring forward a new design method on practical humidity sensing devices with an excellent stability and fast response by using MoS2@SnO2 heterostructure. Published by AIP Publishing.