Electrospun Nickel Manganite (NiMn₂O₄) Nanocrystalline Fibers for Humidity and Temperature Sensing

• Main Authors: Milena P. Dojcinovic, Zorka Z. Vasiljevic, Jugoslav B. Krstic, Jelena D. Vujancevic, Smilja Markovic, Nenad B. Tadic, Maria Vesna Nikolic
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-06-01
• Series: Sensors
• Subjects: nickel manganite; electrospinning; nanocrystalline fibers; humidity sensing; temperature sensing; NTC thermistor
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/13/4357

Nickel manganite nanocrystalline fibers were obtained by electrospinning and subsequent calcination at 400 °C. As-spun fibers were characterized by TG/DTA, Scanning Electron Microscopy and FT-IR spectroscopy analysis. X-ray diffraction and FT-IR spectroscopy analysis confirmed the formation of nickel manganite with a cubic spinel structure, while N₂ physisorption at 77 K enabled determination of the BET specific surface area as 25.3 m²/g and (BJH) mesopore volume as 21.5 m²/g. The material constant (B) of the nanocrystalline nickel manganite fibers applied by drop-casting on test interdigitated electrodes on alumina substrate, dried at room temperature, was determined as 4379 K in the 20–50 °C temperature range and a temperature sensitivity of −4.95%/K at room temperature (25 °C). The change of impedance with relative humidity was monitored at 25 and 50 °C for a relative humidity (RH) change of 40 to 90% in the 42 Hzπ1 MHz frequency range. At 100 Hz and 25 °C, the sensitivity of 327.36 ± 80.12 kΩ/%RH was determined, showing that nickel manganite obtained by electrospinning has potential as a multifunctional material for combined humidity and temperature sensing.