Enhancement of Sensitivity Through Electrochemical Reaction Between Water and Micro/Nano Galvanic Arrays Towards Dew Condensation Prediction

Abstract

An enhancement in the detection sensitivity of microgalvanic cell termed as moisture sensor has been reported. It can detect condensed water, predict dew condensation and distinguish water droplet size with high accuracy and high speed by measuring galvanic current generated when a water droplet bridges Au and Al used as electrodes. Electrode reaction involved in a cell has been identified as cathodic O2 reduction. Coating the cathode, Au with a thin layer of Pt enhanced the cathodic reaction occurring at Pt/Au. SEM images of the surface of Pt coated Au confirmed an increase in homogenous coating of smaller Pt particles, with an increase in the thickness of Pt. This increased the active sites for the cathodic reaction, increasing the output current from the moisture sensor thus enhancing the sensitivity of a sensor.