Pt-TiO2/MWCNTs Hybrid Composites for Monitoring Low Hydrogen Concentrations in Air

Sensors

Stefano Trocino⁴  Andrea Donato⁴  Mariangela Latino²  Nicola Donato³  Salvatore Gianluca Leonardi¹ 

[1] Department of Industrial Chemistry and Materials Engineering, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy; E-Mail:;Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Roma, Italy; E-Mail:;Department of Matter Physics and Electronic Engineering, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy; E-Mail:;Department of Mechanics and Materials, University of Reggio Calabria, 89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy; E-Mails:

关键词: hydrogen sensor;    TiO₂;    MWCNTs;    hybrid nanocomposites;   

DOI  :  10.3390/s120912361

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Hydrogen is a valuable fuel for the next energy scenario. Unfortunately, hydrogen is highly flammable at concentrations higher than 4% in air. This aspect makes the monitoring of H₂ leaks an essential issue for safety reasons, especially in the transportation field. In this paper, nanocomposites based on Pt-doped TiO₂/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been introduced as sensitive materials for H₂ at low temperatures. Pt-TiO₂/MWNTs nanocomposites with different composition have been prepared by a simple wet chemical procedure and their morphological, microstructural and electrical properties were investigated. Resistive thick-film devices have been fabricated printing the hybrid nanocomposites on alumina substrates provided with Pt interdigitated electrodes. Electrical tests in air have shown that embedding MWCNTs in the TiO₂ matrix modify markedly the electrical conductivity, providing a means to decrease the resistance of the sensing layer. Pt acts as a catalytic additive. Pt-TiO₂/MWNTs-based sensors were found to be sensitive to hydrogen at concentrations between 0.5 and 3% in air, satisfying the requisites for practical applications in hydrogen leak detection devices.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2012 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.