Pt/SnO2-Pd nanoelectrode applied for hydrogen sensor with zero-power consumption and low detection limit

Abstract

The detection of low-concentration hydrogen at room temperature is still a challenge, which contributes to taking precautions as soon as possible when hydrogen leaks. In this study, we prepared Pt/SnO2-Pd nanomaterial as nanoelectrode applied for a fuel cell-type hydrogen sensor with zero power consumption. The sensing results show that such fuel cell-type H2 gas sensor has high selectivity and good sensitivity to H2 gas, with an unprecedented low detection limit of 1 ppm, and the humidity has little impact on the sensor's performance. Based on DFT calculations, the low adsorption energy and the electron transfer interaction between Pd and H promote the adsorption and dissociation processes of H2 molecules, which lead to the hydrogen oxidation reaction acceleration and shorter times of response and recovery. In addition, this Pt/SnO2-Pd based sensor has also advantages of high selectivity and zero-power consumption, which may provide a broad application prospect for fuel cell vehicles and voltage transformers, etc.