Electrophysical properties of nanocomposites based on poly(p-xylylene) and copper nanoparticles

Poly(p-xylylene)-based nanocomposites containing various amounts of copper have been prepared by vacuum codeposition on a cooled substrate. On the basis of the relationship between the electrical conductivity of composites and the volume content of copper, the percolation threshold has been estimated as 10%. This value coincides with the corresponding parameter derived from the concentration dependence of the electrical resistance temperature coefficient. It has been shown that the conductivity of the nanocomposites increases with the moisture content and their moisture sensitivity decreases with an increase in the content of copper from a concentration of 4%. An analysis of the kinetics of the sensor response measured for various moisture contents has shown that the capacity structure of the samples rearranges during adsorption of water. According to the advanced model, the value of the sensor response is determined by a reduction in the height of the potential barrier between nanoparticles and a change in the fractal characteristics of nanocomposites that results from the adsorption of water molecules.