Synthesis and Fabrication of Polyvinyl Alcohol Nanofibers Based Capacitive Relative Humidity Sensor

Abstract

  Abstract Capacitive humidity sensor based on Polyvinyl-alcohol (PVA) electrospun nanofibers was fabricated. PVA nanofibers were synthesized through versatile electrospinning technique. The synthesized nanofibers were heat treated and characterized via Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA) for structural, morphological and thermal properties. The fibers of admirable morphological structure were selected and deposited over interdigitated alumina electrodes for the investigation of Relative Humidity (RH) sensing characteristics. The variation in capacitance of the sensor with RH was measured 48pf at 32-92% RH. The dynamic response study confirmed the durability and stability of the sensor. The material exhibited quick response and recovery time and takes 13.27 seconds to measure the maximum RH value. Thus, the proposed sensing material has the potential of possible application in humidity sensing devices.