Triboelectric Hydrogen Gas Sensor with Pd Functionalized Surface

• Main Authors: Sung-Ho Shin, Yang Hyeog Kwon, Young-Hwan Kim, Joo-Yun Jung, Junghyo Nah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2016-10-01
• Series: Nanomaterials
• Subjects: self-powered sensor; H2 detection; palladium; gas sensor; triboelectricity
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/6/10/186

Palladium (Pd)-based hydrogen (H2) gas sensors have been widely investigated thanks to its fast reaction and high sensitivity to hydrogen. Various sensing mechanisms have been adopted for H2 gas sensors; however, all the sensors must be powered through an external battery. We report here an H2 gas sensor that can detect H2 by measuring the output voltages generated during contact electrification between two friction surfaces. When the H2 sensor, composed of Pd-coated ITO (indium tin oxide) and PET (polyethylene Terephthalate) film, is exposed to H2, its output voltage is varied in proportion to H2 concentration because the work function (WF) of Pd-coated surface changes, altering triboelectric charging behavior. Specifically, the output voltage of the sensor is gradually increased as exposing H2 concentration increases. Reproducible and sensitive sensor response was observed up 1% H2 exposure. The approach introduced here can easily be adopted to development of triboelectric gas sensors detecting other gas species.