Highly sensitive and stable relative humidity sensors based on WO3 modified mesoporous silica

Abstract

This study investigates the effectiveness of using WO3 loaded mesoporous silica nanocomposite developed using one step hydrothermal method for measuring relative humidity (RH) at room temperature. On measuring the sensing response, the nanocomposite sensor exhibits excellent linearity, negligible hysteresis, swift response and recovery time, good repeatability, and outstanding stability in 11%-98% RH range. The complex impedance spectra of the sensor at different RHs were used to explore the humidity sensing mechanism. This work could encourage a right approach to blueprint practical humidity sensors with high sensitivity, long stability and fast response/recovery time.