Synthesis of BaCO3 nanowires and their humidity sensitive property

Barium carbonate (BaCO3) nanowires have been synthesized for the first time by using the composite hydroxide mediated (CHM) method. The products are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Humidity sensors based on BaCO3 nanowires have been fabricated. The response to humidity in static and dynamic measurement proves the ultrasensitive property of the sensors. The resistance changes from 386 M(omega) to 7.1 M(omega) as the relative humidity (RH) increases from 20% to 95%. The response and recovery time of the resistance is 16 s and 56 s versus the changes of relative humidity from 25% to 85%. These results indicate promising applications of BaCO3 nanowires in a highly sensitive environmental monitoring and humidity control electronic device.