Efficient Humidity Color Sensor Based on a Photonic Crystal with a Metal-Organic Framework

In this study we suggest a humidity-sensitive color sensor using a one-dimensional photonic crystal and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology-1 (HKUST-1), which is a metal-organic framework (MOF) substance. One-dimensional photonic crystals have a photonic band gap, due to a periodic refractive-index change, and block and reflect light components in a specific wavelength band. The refractive index of HKUST-1 differs in dry and humid environments. Herein we designed a sensor using the presence of the photonic band gap, with FDTD simulation. As a result of optical analysis, the color conversion of the reflected light was superior to the color conversion of the transmitted light. When the center wavelength of the photonic band gap was 550 nm, the maximum peak value of the wet environment increased by a factor of about 9.5 compared to the dry environment, and the color conversion from achromatic to green was excellent as a sensor. The results of this study suggest the application of MOF materials to moisture sensors, and the nanostructure design of MOF materials will expand the applications to industrial devices.