Pd–Pt alloy as a catalyst in gasochromic thin films for hydrogen sensors

• Published in: Solar energy materials and solar cells Vol. 93; no. 12; pp. 2133 - 2137
• Main Authors: Shim, Jae Young, Lee, Jae Dong, Jin, Jung Mo, Cheong, Hyeonsik, Lee, Se-Hee
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.12.2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Alternative fuels. Production and utilization; Applied sciences; Catalysts; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Fuels; Hydrogen; Hydrogen sensor; Hydrogen storage; Metering, regulation, automation in energy; Palladium; Palladium base alloys; Platinum; Raman spectroscopy; Sensors; Solar cells; Solar energy; Sputtering; Theoretical studies. Data and constants. Metering; Thin films; Hydrogen sensor; Palladium; Raman spectroscopy; Platinum; Sputtering; Oxide layer; Hydrogen; Durability; Thin film; Tungsten oxide; Palladium Platinum Alloys; Reactive sputtering; Raman spectrometry; Optical absorption; Catalyst
• ISSN: 0927-0248; 1879-3398
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2009.01.004

We have used Pd–Pt alloy as the catalyst in the hydrogen sensor thin film. Palladium and platinum were co-sputtered on top of a tungsten oxide layer grown by reactive sputtering. Both the sensitivity and the durability were dramatically improved over the case of a palladium single-component catalyst. The fractional change in the optical absorption on exposure to 1% hydrogen gas was increased by a factor larger than 2, and the fractional change decreased only a little after more than 1000 cycles of repeated exposure to 1% hydrogen and air. Moreover, the sensor film exhibited good selectivity to other organic vapors.