Paper as Active Layer in Inkjet-Printed Capacitive Humidity Sensors

Sensors (Basel). 2017 Jun 22;17(7):1464. doi: 10.3390/s17071464.

Abstract

An inkjet-printed relative humidity sensor based on capacitive changes which responds to different humidity levels in the environment is presented in this work. The inkjet-printed silver interdigitated electrodes configuration on the paper substrate allowed for the fabrication of a functional proof-of-concept of the relative humidity sensor, by using the paper itself as a sensing material. The sensor sensitivity in terms of relative humidity changes was calculated to be around 2 pF/RH %. The response time against different temperature steps from 3 to 85 °C was fairly constant (about 4-5 min), and it was considered fast for the aimed application, a smart label.

Keywords: humidity sensor; inkjet printing; nanoparticles; paper; silver.