Screening of mixed-linker CAU-10 MOF materials for humidity sensing by impedance spectroscopy

•Surface modified CAU-10 MOF with varying water affinity were synthesized.•Water sorption characteristics is interpreted and utilized for humidity sensing.•Samples characterized using impedance spectroscopy.•Application test of MOF based humidity sensor reveals high sensitivity and therefore high application potential.

The sorption properties of mixed-linker CAU-10 type metal organic frameworks (MOFs), [Al(OH)(1,3-BDC-X)n(1,3-BDC-SO3H)m] with 1,3-BDC = 1,3-benzenedicarboxyliate, X = H, NO2 or OH, 0.76 ≤ n ≤ 0.89 and 0.11 ≤ m ≤ 0.24, can be varied by surface modification through variation of the respective linker molecules. It is thus possible to design surface-modified CAU-10 type MOFs with variable affinity and accessibility of the pores for water vapour. When used as a dielectric in a capacitor, the MOF material will change its permittivity depending on the amount of physisorbed water; this is the working principle of capacitive humidity sensors.Three different mixed-linker compounds with CAU-10 structure are compared regarding their water sorption and impedance characteristics. A setup was developed allowing the characterization of the MOF samples under exposure to different relative humidity values in air by impedance spectroscopy. Interpretation of the results by means of standard models shows that the MOFs are qualified for functional layers of capacitive humidity sensors. Since the prepared MOFs are more temperature-stable than many commonly used polymers they offer the potential to build a new generation of high-temperature (up to 350 °C) humidity sensors.

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