Highly sensitive humidity sensor at low humidity based on the quaternized polypyrrole composite film

Polypyrrole composite was fabricated by using chemical polymerization at room temperature, which was further quaternized with 1,4-bromobutane to prepare the humidity sensitive material. The electrical properties of the sensor were measured. The results showed that the quaternized polypyrrole composite film exhibited low impedance at very low humidity; the impedance value was about 780 kΩ at 11% RH and the impedance changed from 106 to 103 Ω between 11% and 95% RH, which was suitable for detection of low humidity. Moreover, the logarithm of impedance of the polypyrrole composite film varied linearly (R2 = 0.9916) with relative humidity in the range of 11–95% RH. Surface and cross-sectional morphology of the films, response–recovery time and hysteresis were also measured and estimated. The sensing mechanism of the sensor was also investigated.