Synthesis and Characterization of PVA/PANI Nanofiber as Active Material for Humidity Sensors
Nugrahani Primary Putri, Evi Suaebah, Diva Nuri Diva Islami, Lydia Rohmawati, Diah Hari Kusumawati, Fitriana Fitriana, Zainul Arifin Imam Supardi
Abstract
PANI is a nanostructure conductive polymer that has been widely researched by making nanofibers using electrospinning, by adding PVA as a non-conductive material. In this research, we have successfully synthesized PVA/PANI nanofiber using the electrospinning method and applied it as a humidity sensor. The oxidation polymerization method was conducted to produce polyaniline (PANI) powder. PVA was used as a non-conductive polymer to carry PANI. PANI is blended with 10 % PVA to produce nanofiber PVA/PANI. The results of the synthesis of PVA/PANI nanofibers using the electrospinning method have been characterized by FTIR and EDX to identify the functional groups and elements of PVA/PANI. The FTIR results confirmed that for the PVA nanofiber samples, the type of polyvinyl alcohol bond has been identified according to the reference. The EDX results show the elements C, O and N. The element nitrogen (N) is the characteristic element of polyaniline (C6H5(NH)2)n. The optical Microscope and Scanning Electron Microscope show that the electrospinning method has succeeded in synthesizing PVA/PANI nanofibers with a fiber size of around 0.313 mm. The porosity of PVA/PANI is around 55 %, which is related to the ability of PVA/PANI sensitivity to detect humidity. These results are demonstrated by measurements using a Four-Point Probe (FPP), with the humidity value varying from 64 - 80 %. The results show that variations of PANI powder content improve the sensitivity performance of PVA/PANI nanofibers. This method can optimize PVA/PANI nanofiber as a humidity sensor, increase conductivity flexibility, make it easier and enhance the PANI to use as an active sensor. HIGHLIGHTS The active material for the sensor is polyaniline-based. Polyaniline oxidation polymerization using a method with solid acid doping, which can increase the conductivity of polyaniline (PANI). The formation of PANI nanofibers increases the sensing activities’ effectiveness. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is used as a carrier to facilitate the synthesis process by electrospinning. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT