Uniformly Porous Nanocrystalline CaMgFe(1.33)Ti(3)O(12) Ceramic Derived Electro-Ceramic Nanocomposite for Impedance Type Humidity Sensor

Since humidity sensors have been widely used in many sectors, a suitable humidity sensing material with improved sensitivity, faster response and recovery times, better stability and low hysteresis is necessary to be developed. Here, we fabricate a uniformly porous humidity sensor using Ca, Ti substituted Mg ferrites with chemical formula of CaMgFe(1.33)Ti(3)O(12) as humidity sensing materials by solid-sate step-sintering technique. This synthesis technique is useful to control the grain size with increased porosity to enhance the hydrophilic characteristics of the CaMgFe(1.33)Ti(3)O(12) nanoceramic based sintered electro-ceramic nanocomposites. The highest porosity, lowest density and excellent surface-hydrophilicity properties were obtained at 1050 °C sintered ceramic. The performance of this impedance type humidity sensor was evaluated by electrical characterizations using alternating current (AC) in the 33%–95% relative humidity (RH) range at 25 °C. Compared with existing conventional resistive humidity sensors, the present sintered electro-ceramic nanocomposite based humidity sensor showed faster response time (20 s) and recovery time (40 s). This newly developed sensor showed extremely high sensitivity (%S) and small hysteresis of <3.4%. Long-term stability of the sensor had been determined by testing for 30 consecutive days. Therefore, the high performance sensing behavior of the present electro-ceramic nanocomposites would be suitable for a potential use in advanced humidity sensors.