High-performance resistive humidity sensor based on Ag nanoparticles decorated with graphene quantum dots

In this work, we present a low-cost, fast and simple fabrication of resistive-type humidity sensors based on the graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) nanocomposites. The GQDs and AgNPs were synthesized by hydrothermal method and green reducing agent route, respectively. UV–Vis spectrophotometer, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and field-emission transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize quality, chemical bonding states and morphology of the nanocomposite materials and confirm the successful formation of core/shell-like AgNPs/GQDs structure. According to sensing humidity results, the ratio of GQDs/AgNPs 1 : 1 nanocomposite exhibits the best humidity response of 98.14% with exponential relation in the humidity range of 25–95% relative humidity at room temperature as well as faster response/recovery times than commercial one at the same condition. The sensing mechanism of the high-performance GQDs/AgNPs humidity sensor is proposed via Schottky junction formation and intrinsic synergistic effects of GQDs and AgNPs.