Synthesis and humidity sensitive properties of pyrrole‐based polyelectrolytes

Pyrrole (Py)‐based polyelectrolytes (Py‐PE): P(Py‐COOLi), P(Py‐COONa), and P(Py‐COOK) was synthesized, characterized, and used to prepare thin film resistive humidity sensors. Their humidity sensitive properties have been investigated, and sensing mechanism was presented. The Py‐PE contains PPy as backbone and the side chain bearing carboxylic salt group, which made its sensor exhibited a very wide humidity sensing range of 0–97% relative humidity (RH), high conductivity even at very low humidity, and both ionic and electronic conduction contributed to its conductivity. Among all the Py‐PE, P(Py‐COOK) showed high sensitivity, with the impedance changing of about three orders of magnitude (10 3 –10 6 Ω) from 97 to 0% RH, whereas P(Py‐COONa) showed quick response for both absorption (12.5 s) and desorption (15.2 s). Py‐PE prepared is promising for preparation of thin film resistive humidity sensors capable of detecting low humidity. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009