Flexible humidity and temperature sensor based on cellulose-polypyrrole nanocomposite

Recently, cellulose has been re-discovered as a smart material that can be used as sensor and actuator materials, which is termed as electro-active paper. In this work we demonstrate the application of cellulose as a flexible humidity and temperature sensor. Nanoscaled polypyrrole (PPy) as a humidity and temperature sensitive layer was introduced onto cellulose surface via in situ polymerization technique without disrupting cellulose structure. Atomic force microscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy. transmission electron microscopy and secondary ion mass spectroscopic analysis revealed the successful deposition of polypyrrole nanolayer onto cellulose surface, which is referred as a cellulose-PPy nanocomposite. Effect of polymerization time on sensing behavior of cellulose-PPy nanocomposite was investigated, experimental results revealed that cellulose-PPy nanocomposite with 16h polymerization time suitable for suitable for humidity and temperature sensor. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.