Tailored Zn(1-x)TixAl2O4 Nanocomposite Particles via Sol-Gel Route for High-Performance Humidity Sensing

TL;DR

This paper presents a sol-gel synthesized Zn0.85Ti0.15Al2O4 nanocomposite for humidity sensing, demonstrating high sensitivity, fast response, and stability, suitable for industrial and commercial applications.

Contribution

It introduces a novel Zn0.85Ti0.15Al2O4 nanocomposite material with enhanced humidity sensing performance via sol-gel synthesis.

Findings

Significant resistance change from 500 MΩ to 90 MΩ across 15-90% RH

Fast response and recovery times of 50 seconds

Low hysteresis indicating high stability and repeatability

Abstract

Humidity sensors play a vital role in industrial, healthcare, agricultural, and environmental applications; however, conventional sensors often suffer from issues like low sensitivity, slow response, and poor stability. This study investigates sol-gel synthesized Zn0.85Ti0.15Al2O4 nanocomposite ceramics for high-performance humidity sensing. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis confirms a nanocrystalline structure, while the optical bandgap of 3.76 eV indicates the enhanced sensing potential. The sensor exhibits a significant decrease in resistance, from 500 M{\Omega} (15% RH) to 90 M{\Omega}(90% RH), with fast response (50 s) and recovery times (50 s). Low Hysteresis values (5.86% at 30% RH, 7.69% at 60% RH, and 4.28% at 90% RH) highlight high sensitivity, stability, and repeatability. These results indicate the potential of Zn0.85Ti0.15Al2O4as a promising material for next-generation resistive humidity sensors suitable for commercial and industrial deployment.