Abstract
Thin spin-coated polymer films of amphiphilic copolymer obtained by partial acetalization of poly (vinyl alcohol) are used as humidity-sensitive media. They are deposited on polymer substrate (PET) in order to obtain a flexible humidity sensor. Pre-metallization of substrate is implemented for increasing the optical contrast of the sensor, thus improving the sensitivity. The morphology of the sensors is studied by surface profiling, while the transparency of the sensor is controlled by transmittance measurements. The sensing behavior is evaluated through monitoring of transmittance values at different levels of relative humidity gradually changing in the range 5–95% and the influence of up to 1000 bending deformations is estimated by determining the hysteresis and sensitivity of the flexible sensor after each set of deformations. The successful development of a flexible sensor for optical monitoring of humidity in a wide humidity range is demonstrated and discussed.
Highlights
Transparent and flexible sensing devices are of great interest because of their unique superior characteristics such as conformity, endurance and light weight
The results demonstrated that the highest sensor sensitivity and reversibility were obtained when metalized polymer substrate (PET) was used as a flexible substrate [43]
The sensor consists of pre-metallized PET substrate covered with a spin-coated thin film of poly(vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetal) with acetal content of 24%
Summary
Transparent and flexible sensing devices are of great interest because of their unique superior characteristics such as conformity, endurance and light weight. Optical sensing, which detects alterations in environmental humidity via a color change, are interesting due to the fact that it is not necessary for a specially trained specialist to use it, and its working principle presupposes an intuitive detection method [1,2]. Such a technology that exhibits an instantaneous reaction and does not need electricity could be applied in the form of flexible sensors for implantation in various types of clothing, masks, packaging, etc
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