Highly efficient and stable NiSe2-rGO composite-based room temperature hydrogen gas sensor

Abstract

The widespread consumption of hydrogen in commercial and industrial applications has resulted in the development of different hydrogen gas sensors. However, their practical application is restricted due to their non-cost efficiency, low sensitivity, poor selectivity and high temperature sensing properties. Thus, the development of a sensor capable of overcoming the aforementioned limitations is critical for commercial deployment. As a result, a NiSe2-rGO composite-based H2 gas sensor has been prepared for the first time using a simple hydrothermal technique. The developed material has been systematically characterized for its morphological properties and thoroughly investigated for H2 gas sensing applications. The findings show that the developed NiSe2-rGO composite exhibited enhanced H2 gas sensing properties, besides possessing appreciable selectivity, repeatability as well as long-term stability. Furthermore, the results demonstrate a stable sensor response of 254% within 43 s and 13 s of response and recovery time respectively at a hydrogen concentration of 500 ppm which is 8 and 500 times higher than that of its individual counterparts (NiSe2 and rGO) over a wide relative humidity range, indicating the material's potential for application in industrial environments. Thus, this work paves the way for the development of stable, effective, fast-responding, and selective hydrogen gas sensors that are functional at room temperature.