Black P/graphene hybrid: A fast response humidity sensor with good reversibility and stability

Black phosphorus (BP) materials have attracted considerable attention owing to their ultra-sensitive humidity sensing characteristics because of the natural absorption of water (H₂O) molecules on the BP surface caused by the specific 2D layer-crystalline structure. On the other hand, the BP-based humidity sensor is less repeatable due to the instability of BP with water molecules and the stability of the sensor is reduced. In this study, this limitation of the BP-based humidity sensor was overcome by preparing a BP/graphene hybrid as a novel humidity sensing nanostructure. The BP/graphene interface improved the stability of the humidity sensor after a few weeks with a linear response within the relative humidity (RH) range of 15-70%. The sensor's response/recovery speed of the humidity sensor was extremely fast within few seconds. The response (S) of the humidity sensor based on the BP/graphene hybrid is 43.4% at RH = 70%. The estimated response and recovery time of the sensor is only 9 and 30 seconds at RH = 70% at room temperature. The experimental investigation reveals that the BP/graphene hybrid not only improves the reversibility and hysteresis factors but also enhances the stability of the humidity sensor.