Characterization and Humidity Sensing Application of ZnO-TiO₂ Nanocomposite

Paper reports morphological and relative humidity sensing studies of ZnO-TiO₂ nanocomposite powder pellets obtained through solid-state reaction route. When exposed to humidity, resistance of pellets decreases with increase in relative humidity from 10-90%. Sensing element with 15 weight % of TiO₂ in ZnO shows best results with maximum sensitivity of 9.08 MΩ/%RH in 10-90% relative humidity range. This sensing element manifests smallest crystallite size of 71 nm as measured from XRD and lowest grain size of 207 nm calculated from SEM micrograph. This sensing element has the lowest value of activation energy, and hence higher electronic conduction.