Self-Powered Humidity Sensor Based on Graphene Oxide Composite Film Intercalated by Poly(Sodium 4-Styrenesulfonate)

Abstract

This Research Article reports self-powered humidity sensors based on graphene oxide (GO) and poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS)-intercalated GO composite films used as the humidity-responsive dielectrics. A hydrophilic and electrically-insulating PSS polymer was used as an intercalant between the individual GO platelets to enhance the water permeation characteristics. Capacitive-type humidity sensors fabricated by forming metal electrodes on both sides of the GO and GO-PSS films were installed into the charge pumping system, which can produce a voltage output as a response to humidity sensing. While both sensors based on GO and GO-PSS dielectrics responded stably and reversibly to the changes in RH, the GO-PSS sensor showed enhanced sensing responses compared to the GO sensor, providing ∼5.6 times higher voltage output and 3 times faster responses in humidity sensing.