Cellulose nanocrystal/graphene oxide composite film as humidity sensor

Cellulose nanocrystal/graphene oxide composite was reported as a humidity sensor in this study. The composite film was fabricated using simple blending the materials followed by oven drying. The composite film offers a unique advantages of cellulose combined with functionality of GO. It was capitalized to design renewable, flexible and cheap humidity sensor. Performance of the composite film as a humidity sensor was evaluated on the basis of relative capacitance change at different humidity level. Synthesized composite film was characterized using scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscope, and X-ray diffraction. Environmental effect such as temperature was taken into account on the sensor performance. The sensing mechanism is explained on the basis of presence of hydrophilic functional groups in the composite. The linear and fast response of the developed sensor is advantageous. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.