Humidity sensitive properties of copolymers containing phosphonium salts

(Vinylbenzyl)triphenylphosphonium chloride (VTPC) was prepared for a humidity-sensitive polyelectrolyte. The humidity-sensitive membranes were composed of cross-linked copolymers with different contents of VTPC, n-butyl acrylate (n-BA) and 2-(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl)methacrylate (VTPC/n-BA/DMAMA=10/35/0, 10/45/0, 10/35/4.5 and 10/35/9). When impedance characteristics of the copolymers were measured, the impedance was decreased with an increase in the content of VTPC. The impedance ranged from 107 Ω to 103 Ω between 50% RH and 95% RH, which was required for a humidity sensor operating at high humidity or a dew point. Temperature dependence, hysteresis and a response time were also measured. The humidity-sensitive characteristics of the cross-linked copolymer of VTPC, n-BA and DAEMA changed little even after soaking in water for 120 min.