Poly (N-ethyl aniline)/Ag Nanocomposite as Humidity Sensor

Abstract

Poly (N-ethyl aniline)/Ag organic–inorganic composite has been synthesized by a single step in situ chemical oxidative polymerization method. The synthesis of Poly (N-ethyl aniline)/Ag nanocomposite has been confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Ultraviolet-Vis Spectroscopy (UV-visible), Fourier transform infrared analysis (FTIR) and FE-SEM investigations. XRD spectral study exhibited major diffraction in the range 20–80[Formula: see text] (2[Formula: see text]) and indicated the semicrystalline nature of poly (N-ethyl aniline)/Ag nanocomposite. Characteristic peaks in UV-visible and FTIR spectra of poly (N-ethyl aniline) switched to higher wave numbers in poly (N-ethyl aniline)/Ag nanocomposite. Peaks at 1789[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text], 1595[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text], 667[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text] and 501[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text] in FTIR spectrum confirmed the formation of poly (N-ethyl aniline)/Ag nanocomposite. FE-SEM photographs reported agglomerated granular particulate nature of poly (N-ethyl aniline)/Ag nanocomposite. Synthesized poly (N-ethyl aniline)/Ag nanocomposite exhibited a high response to humidity, good reproducibility and stability at room temperature. An appreciable response was shown in the presence of 40% humid atmosphere for up to successive four cycles. Composite sensitivity has been found to increase with the increasing concentration of humidity, at room temperature.