Facile design of flexible Pd nanoclusters sensitized reduced graphene oxide paper film towards hydrogen sensing

Developing flexible gas sensors based on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) are highly promising for practical application, however, it is still challenging due to the sacrificed solution-processibility and mechanical properties after reduction. To address this issue, we here introduce solution-processed rGO and designed a flexible hydrogen (H2) film sensor by coupling with Pd nanoclusters as the activators via direct colloids mixing and subsequent vacuum filtration. The rGO/Pd nanocluster film features with structural compactness, surface homogeneity, excellent mechanical flexibility, high-efficiency output, and simplification of compositing method. In addition, the film sensor exhibited high response value, fast behavior and stable sensing behavior towards high-concentration H2 compared with bare rGO film owing to the significant activation role of Pd nanoclusters with ultrasmall sizes (average size: 3.3 nm). Conclusively, this work provides an ingenious and effective way for the design of rGO-based flexible sensor, and shows promise for efficient portable and cost-effective monitoring of environmentally H2 gases leaks.