According to the report from Memes, researchers at the University of Electronic Science and Technology have developed an ultra-sensitive hydrogen sensor based on organic nanofibers.

Hydrogen is extremely flammable and does not produce any contaminants. Therefore, the gas can be used to generate clean energy and has a wide range of applications in aerospace and metallurgical industries. However, hydrogen also poses a high safety risk because it does not have a specific odor or color and there is a risk of explosion when the concentration is above 4% in the atmosphere. Therefore, a hydrogen sensor capable of detecting a low concentration of hydrogen has its place. Now, a group of researchers at the University of Electronic Science and Technology have developed an ultra-sensitive and flexible hydrogen sensor. The team used organic nanofibers made from palladium nanoparticles.

Hydrogen sensor schematic

To deposit these nanoparticles on organic nanofiber materials, the team used a DC magnetron sputtering film deposition process, in which magnets behind the cathode trap electrons on a negatively charged target for faster deposition rates. The team cut the nanostructures of palladium nanoparticles and organic nanofibers into 2cm ¡Á 1cm dimensions and transferred them to a flexible printed circuit board. Silver paste is used as an electrode to be applied on both sides of the composite nanostructure.

Preparation of hydrogen sensor

The team determined that the team determined the temperature dependence of the sensor at a hydrogen concentration of 25 ppm (one millionth of a gas volume percent). The team found that the sensor's response increased with increasing temperature. Compared to conventional electrohydrogen sensors, the new sensor can detect hydrogen at concentrations as low as 5 ppm over a wider temperature range. The sensor also has excellent chemical absorption, and as its temperature increases, its response speed increases. The team also found the sensor to be ultra-durable at low hydrogen concentrations. The sensor also maintains high sensitivity to low concentrations of hydrogen, with a maximum response of 10.63% even after 3 measurement cycles. Team research results were published in the March 14, 2019 MDPI Sensors journal.