A Highly Sensitive and Reliable Humidity Sensor for Low-Water-Pressure Detection in a Vacuum Environment via...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Planetary Science
• Sensor Technology

Background:

• Detecting extraterrestrial water is vital for space resource utilization and establishing off-world bases.
• Current sensing technologies require enhancement for reliable in situ water detection in space environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a highly sensitive and reliable sensor for detecting water molecules in extraterrestrial environments.
• To investigate the performance and stability of PEDOT:PSS films under simulated space conditions.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a water molecule sensor using poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) films.
• Performance evaluation under high-vacuum conditions (1.0 × 10⁻³ Pa).
• In situ film surface/thickness and spectroscopic analyses to understand water-PEDOT:PSS interactions.

Main Results:

• Achieved an ultra-low detection limit of 0.02 Pa (148 μg/mL) under high vacuum.
• Demonstrated exceptional reversibility, repeatability, and long-term stability.
• Sensor maintained performance after rigorous space survivability tests, indicating robustness.

Conclusions:

• PEDOT:PSS films offer a promising platform for developing advanced sensors for extraterrestrial water detection.
• Understanding hydrogen-bond interactions enhances sensor design for space applications.
• The developed sensor technology supports future human space resource utilization and planetary exploration.