Humidity sensor using epoxy resin containing quaternary ammonium salts

Humidity-sensitive epoxy monomer, glycidyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (GTMAC) was selected as the humidity-sensing resin. Polypropylene glycol diglycidyl ether (PPGDGE) and methyl tetrahydrophthalic anhydride (MTPHA) were used as a comonomer and a curing agent, respectively. The humidity-sensitive membranes were composed of GTMAC, PPGDGE and MTPHA. When impedance characteristics of the epoxy resins containing quaternary ammonium salts were measured, the impedance decreased linearly with an increase in the content of GTMAC in its semi-logarithmic graph. The impedance changed from 107 to 103 Ω between 30 and 90%RH, which was required for a common humidity sensor. Temperature dependence, frequency dependence and response time were also measured. The humidity-sensitive characteristics of the sensor did not change even after soaking in water.