Embedding 1D Conducting Channels into 3D Isoporous Polymer Films for High-Performance Humidity Sensing

Isoporous block copolymer (BCP) films have received exponential interest as highly selective membranes, stemming from their unique morphological features, but their applications in functional devices remain to be realized. Now single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were efficiently incorporated into isoporous block copolymer films for chemiresistive sensing at room temperature. Leveraging the efficient charge extraction ability of CNTs together with nanochannel arrays aligned perpendicular to the surface of the films, an ultrafast response time of 0.3s was achieved for humidity detection with a sensor response of about 800 on changing humidity from 10% to 95%. Furthermore, the sensor also responds to various organic vapors, underscoring its promising detection capability.