Ampelli C., Spadaro D., Neri G., Donato N., Latino M., Passalacqua R., Perathoner S., Centi G., 2012, Development of Hydrogen Leak Sensors for Fuel Cell Transportation, Chemical Engineering Transactions, 26, 333-338.
With the aim to develop robust and reliable sensing devices for fuel cell transportation technology, a new solid state hydrogen leak sensor based on a composite of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and platinum-doped titania nanotubes Pt-TiO2(NTs), has been reported. The thick film resistive-type sensor has been fabricated preparing first an array of Pt-TiO2(NTs) by anodic oxidation, mixing them with CNTs and finally depositing the CNTs/ Pt-TiO2(NTs) composite obtained on a ceramic substrate provided with Pt interdigitated electrodes. The electrical and hydrogen sensing characteristics of the sensor device have been investigated in the hydrogen concentration monitoring in the range 0.5-3 v/v (%) in air. The addition of CNTs and use of UV light decreased strongly the operating temperature, showing the applicability of the sensor device developed for hydrogen leak detection at near room temperature.
