High-performance palladium nanotube network as fast, high-resolution, and wide range hydrogen detector in atmosphere

Due to its high energy density, cleanliness, and renewable properties, hydrogen (H2) has found wide applications in aerospace, fuel cells, biomedicine, and chemical production. However, ensuring its safety is crucial, and a quick response time for H2 leakage detection is urgently needed for subsequent explosion-proof measures, requiring a limit of less than 5 s. So far, there is no reported device with both high-resolution and wide range capabilities. In this study, we propose a novel solution by designing and fabricating a hollow palladium nanotube network (HPNN) as a rapid leaking-sensing H2 detector. The HPNN sensor demonstrates excellent performance with a low detection limit of 10 parts per million (ppm) and a fast response time of less than 0.6 s in atmospheric environment. These impressive safety characteristics are attributed to the unique structure of the Pd nanotube network, where both the lattice volume expansion effect and electron accumulation under mechanical deformation affect the electrical resistance. The device is capable of effectively detecting a wide range from 4 % to 0.001 % of H2 concentrations. Compared to previous results, the response speed is improved by over 8 times at the minimum explosion concentration (4 %) and two orders of magnitude at low limit concentration. Such simple and cost-effective manufacturing method offers potential for the development of high-performance hydrogen leakage detectors.