A Fast Humidity Sensor Based on Li+-Doped SnO2 One-Dimensional Porous Nanofibers

• Main Authors: Min Yin, Fang Yang, Zhaojie Wang, Miao Zhu, Ming Liu, Xiuru Xu, Zhenyu Li
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2017-05-01
• Series: Materials
• Subjects: humidity sensor; electrospun porous nanofibers; lithium doping; response-recovery behavior
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/10/5/535

One-dimensional SnO2- and Li+-doped SnO2 porous nanofibers were easily fabricated via electrospinning and a subsequent calcination procedure for ultrafast humidity sensing. Different Li dopant concentrations were introduced to investigate the dopant’s role in sensing performance. The response properties were studied under different relative humidity levels by both statistic and dynamic tests. The best response was obtained with respect to the optimal doping of Li+ into SnO2 porous nanofibers with a maximum 15 times higher response than that of pristine SnO2 porous nanofibers, at a relative humidity level of 85%. Most importantly, the ultrafast response and recovery time within 1 s was also obtained with the 1.0 wt % doping of Li+ into SnO2 porous nanofibers at 5 V and at room temperature, benefiting from the co-contributions of Li-doping and the one-dimensional porous structure. This work provides an effective method of developing ultrafast sensors for practical applications—especially fast breathing sensors.