Development of Hydrogen Leak Sensors for Fuel Cell Transportation

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.