Optical fiber based humidity sensor using Ag decorated ZnO nanorods

This paper describes the fabrication of fiber optic humidity sensor based on silver decorated ZnO nanostructures. The synthesized powders were characterised by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The composite mixture of ZnO and Ag-ZnO were coated on plastic optical fiber by brush coating method. Povinyl alchol (PVA) was used as a temporary binder for the coating. The humidity sensing behavior of the fabricated sensors were studied by exposing it to different humidity levels ranging from 20 to 95%RH at room temperature. The optimised nano composite shows better responsivity and recovery time.