Enhanced-performance relative humidity sensor based on MOF-801 photonic crystals

We proposed an enhanced-performance relative humidity (%RH) nano-sensor based on MOF-801/TiO₂ one-dimensional photonic crystals (1DPC). The maximum reflectance-peak wavelength of it shifted obviously in the range of 20%-90% under varying %RH levels, due to the highly moisture-sensitive MOF-801 film in the 1DPC structure. It was demonstrated that the linear spectrum sensitivity of the MOF-801/TiO₂ %RH 1DPC sensor is exceeding 119 pm/%RH from 20%RH to 90% RH, and the sensitivity of reflection power variations exhibits 1.34 dB/%RH with the resolvable relative humidity variation less than 0.1%RH at 15°C. Meanwhile, the sensor shows a fast optical response time less than 100 ms with exceptional repeatability and reliability, which promises successful measurements of human respiration. Moreover, the sensor performance on the structure of 1DPC is investigated, representing a tradeoff between the sensing sensitivity and response time.