Long-term reliable wireless H2 gas sensor via repeatable thermal refreshing of palladium nanowire

• Published in: Nature communications Vol. 15; no. 1; pp. 8761 - 9
• Main Authors: Kim, Ki-Hoon, Jo, Min-Seung, Kim, Sung-Ho, Kim, Bokyeong, Kang, Joonhee, Yoon, Jun-Bo, Seo, Min-Ho
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 09.10.2024; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 119/118; 142/126; 147/135; 147/3; 639/925/927/1007; 639/925/927/511; Carbon dioxide; Clean energy; Contaminants; Cost analysis; Cost effectiveness; Density functional theory; Energy sources; Gas sensors; Heat treatment; High temperature; Humanities and Social Sciences; multidisciplinary; Nanotechnology; Nanowires; Palladium; Performance degradation; Recovery; Recovery of function; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Sensors; Surface stability
• ISSN: 2041-1723; 2041-1723
• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-53080-0

The increasing significance of hydrogen (H 2 ) gas as a clean energy source has prompted the development of high-performance H 2 gas sensors. Palladium (Pd)-based sensors, with their advantages of selectivity, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, have shown promise in this regard. However, the long-term stability and reliability of Pd-based sensors remain a challenge. This study not only identifies the exact cause for performance degradation in palladium (Pd) nanowire H 2 sensors, but also implements and optimizes a cost-effective recovery method. The results from density functional theory (DFT) calculations and material analysis confirm the presence of C = O bonds, indicating performance degradation due to carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) accumulation on the Pd surface. Based on the molecular behavior calculation in high temperatures, we optimized the thermal treatment method of 200 °C for 10 minutes to remove the C = O contaminants, resulting in nearly 100% recovery of the sensor’s initial performance even after 2 months of contamination. Retaining sensor performance with long-term use is highly challenging. Here, the authors refined the thermal recovery method in Pd nanowire H 2 sensors, effectively removing C = O surface contaminants to ensure long-term stability.