Development of a miniaturized current type H2 gas sensor based on Nafion and Pt-Pd/C sensing electrode

Abstract

In this manuscript, a miniaturized current type gas sensor based on the membrane electrode assemble (MEA) composed of Nafion and Pt-Pd/C sensing electrode has been developed to realize the effective detection of H₂ at room temperature. The newly designed sensor is significantly smaller than current common gas sensors, and the structure of the sensor and test fixture has been redesigned. The miniature sensor is easy to carry, install and apply to other devices on a daily basis, the manufacturing cost is greatly reduced, and precious metals can be used in the selection of gas-sensitive materials. In the experiment, we used Pt and Pd bimetallic stretcher loaded on carbon as sensing material, both noble metals are sensitive to H₂ and have high catalytic activity, which enables efficient detection of H₂ gas. The sensor could detect H₂ at levels as low as 3 ppm with a −0.163 nA response and had a good linear relationship in range of 30–6000 ppm H₂. In addition, this amperometric H₂ sensor displayed fast response-recovery rate as well as excellent selectivity and stability. Within the explosive limits of H₂, our sensors enable fast and accurate detection. Such a miniaturized device has a good application prospect due to its advantages.