A radiation-resistant MWCNT/Nafion/MWCNT composite film for humidity perception

Humidity is a necessary detection index in the nuclear industry, but the current humidity sensor is unable to resist nuclear radiation. In this work, we develop a radiation-resistant humidity sensor, which is made of multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/Nafion/MWCNT composite film. The voltage response of the composite membrane under different relative humidity was measured before and after irradiation in different environments. The results show that in the radiation atmosphere of 21% O 2 , MWCNTs were significantly aggregated and fractured, and the number of oxygen functional groups on the surface of the composite membrane increased, resulting in the attenuation of the elastic modulus and a significant decrease in the voltage response and response rate. However, the humidity and structural properties of the composite films did not change significantly after irradiation in a 100% N 2 radiation atmosphere. It is confirmed that the composite film has good radiation resistance in the absence of oxygen.