Structural and Functional Tuning of MgO-ZnO/PVA Sensors: Identifying the Optimal PVA Concentration

To assess their potential for humidity sensing applications, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-doped magnesium oxide (MgO) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanocomposites were created by changing the weight percentages of PVA. Impedance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to assess the electrical, structural, and morphological characteristics of the produced samples. Particle size, surface porosity, hydrophilic behavior and all crucial factors for humidity sensing were affected by the addition of PVA to the metal oxide matrices. PVA doping considerably improves the sensitivity, reaction time, and recovery properties of both MgO and ZnO-based sensors, according to an evaluation of humidity sensing performance over a broad range of relative humidity (RH) levels. The samples with the highest PVA content among those under investigation showed better linearity and repeatability, which made them attractive options for effective and reasonably priced humidity sensors. The study demonstrates how polymer doping can enhance metal oxide-based sensing materials, opening the door to customized sensor design for industrial control and environmental monitoring applications.