Rapid preparation of a Nafion/Ag NW composite film and its humidity sensing effect

In this study, we present a novel humidity-responsive composite film based on the integration of two silver nanowire (Ag NW) layers deposited via the physical deposition process with an ionomer (Nafion) layer sandwiched between them. As a result of the ion migration inside the ionomer, the humidity to electrical transduction displays a fast response and high sensitivity in comparison with previous research. Meanwhile, the effects of the humidity gradient on the sensing response of the Nafion/Ag NWs composite film were investigated. Specifically, a higher humidity enables a faster response rate but a slower recovery rate, as compared to a lower humidity level. In addition, breathing tests are performed, which verified the opportunities for the design and fabrication of high-performance sensors for environment and biophysical monitoring. This research also revealed the potential applications in VOC (volatile organic compound) detection.