Organic hydrogen gas sensor with palladium-coated β-phase poly(vinylidene fluoride) thin films

Abstract

We have proposed an organic hydrogen gas sensor in which palladium (Pd)-coated β-phase poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) films are utilized. Volume expansion of the Pd thin film caused by absorption of hydrogen gas is monitored by a piezoelectric thin film of PVDF attached to the Pd films. We have developed a simple method of synthesizing β-phase PVDF films from α-phase PVDF powder by using a wet process in which a mixture of acetone and hexamethylphosphoric triamide is used as the solvent for the PVDF powder. The sensor works by itself at room temperature without a power source.