THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY ON THE ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE OF ZIRCONIUM DIOXIDE NANO-PARTICLES**

Authors

Austin Duke*, University of West Georgia, Carrollton, GA 30118Follow
Ben DeMayo, University of West Georgia, Carrollton, GA 30118Follow

Abstract

Commercially supplied zirconium dioxide nanotube particles, 20 nm average particle size, were confined in a plastic PLA 3-D printed sample holder and subjected to temperatures 77 K to 300 K and relative humidities of ~10% to 100% for periods of several hours. The sample temperatures were measured directly using Omega ceramic platinum RTD sensors; Honeywell HIH-4000 sensors were used to determine the relative humidity of the cryostat. A custom-made LabView virtual instrument along with 3 Keithley 2000 digital multimeters recorded the data along with the elapsed time and sample resistance at rates of up to 2 sets of readings per second. Sample resistance up to 100 MΩ was measured directly. Using a known resistor in parallel with the sample, we extended the range up to 5,000 MΩ. The relative humidity in the cryostat varied from around 10% (achieved with an indicating desiccant, Drierite) up to 100% using a Digital Electronic Hygrostat from Incubator Warehouse. The data were analyzed with Excel software. The resistance of the sample increased with decreasing temperature and decreased with increasing humidity. Hysteresis was observed as the sample was cooled and then warmed.

Acknowledgements

Work supported by the Georgia Space Grant Consortium-­NASA.

Recommended Citation

Duke*, Austin and DeMayo, Ben (2018) "THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY ON THE ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE OF ZIRCONIUM DIOXIDE NANO-PARTICLES**," Georgia Journal of Science, Vol. 76, No. 1, Article 34.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.gaacademy.org/gjs/vol76/iss1/34