High-sensitivity humidity sensing of a U-shaped microfiber coated with porous methacryloxyethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride film

Abstract

We demonstrate an intensity-modulated humidity sensor based on a U-shaped microfiber coated with porous methacryloxyethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (DMC) film. The high surface-to-volume ratios of the porous structure improve the interaction between the DMC film and water molecules, resulting in significantly enhanced sensitivity of the humidity sensor. In the humidity range of 34.0%RH to 50.0%RH, the humidity sensitivity of this microfiber sensor is up to 3.090 dB/%RH, which is six times higher than that of other fiber humidity sensors. The humidity detection range can be adjusted with high humidity sensitivity (≥1.685dB/%RH) by controlling the microfiber diameter and bent diameter. Furthermore, this type of sensor has a fast recovery time of 0.023 s and a response time of only 0.692 s. This type of sensor has broad potential applications in chemical processing, medical diagnostics, instrument manufacturing, and so on.