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    An ultra-sensitive piezoresistive polymer nano-composite microcantilever platform for humidity and soil moisture detection

    Year: 2014

    Journal: SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL, Vol. 203, p 165-173, 20150722

    Authors: Patil, Sheetal J.; Adhikari, Arindam; Baghini, Maryam Shojaei; Rao, V. Ramgopal

    Organizations: Indian Inst Technol Bombay IIT Bombay, Dept Elect Engn, Ctr Excellence Nanoelect, Bombay 400076, Maharashtra, India; Aadarsh Innovat, Pune 411045, Maharashtra, India

    Simultaneous monitoring of soil moisture at different soil levels or near plant roots and relative humidity are crucial for optimizing the crop yield. In the present paper, we demonstrate a novel, compact and inexpensive polymer nano-composite piezoresistive microcantilever sensor platform for the measurement of relative humidity (% RH) and soil moisture. A piezoresistive microcantilever is realized using SU-8 and carbon black based nano-composite. Its surface is further modified by Poly-aniline (PANI) nanofibers as a sensing layer. The surface functionalization is confirmed by FTIR, SEM and contact angle measurements. The sensor exhibited a maximum response of 28 mV toward 93% RH with sensitivity of 64 mu V/0.1% RH. Sensitivity values of 43.6, 275 and 78.6 mu V/0.1% change in the moisture content for bentonite soil, white clay and sand, respectively, are achieved. Such high sensitivity values coupled with the low cost can be utilized further for the realization of rugged, portable and handeld devices with wireless networking facility. (C) 2014 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.