High‐Selectivity Hydrogen Gas Sensors based on Mesoporous PbOx‐ZnO Nanocomposites

Abstract

AbstractHydrogen heralded as a promising renewable and environmentally friendly energy carrier, carries inherent risks owing to its highly flammable nature. A mere 4 % concentration of hydrogen in the air can trigger an explosion. To counteract this peril, a composite material comprising PbOX‐ZnO (2 : 1) was synthesized, characterized, and subsequently employed to fabricate a hydrogen sensing device. Various analytical tools were used to characterize as‐deposited materials, including X‐ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscopy /Energy Dispersive X‐ray Spectroscopy, Transmission electron microscopy UV‐Vis Reflectance Spectroscopy and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy. The device exhibited favorable properties, such as good selectivity, stability, and a low detection limit for hydrogen. At ambient room temperature, the device demonstrated a sensing signal reaching 468.7, with a response time (T90) of 155 seconds and a recovery time (Tr90) of 69 seconds when exposed to a hydrogen concentration of 5 ppm. This performance underscores the device‘s rapid and effective response to hydrogen exposure. Moreover, the PbOX‐ZnO (2 : 1) composite‐based device exhibited a detection limit of 2.4 ppm, functioning accurately within a linear range spanning from 5 ppm to 50 ppm. This capability confirms its precision in accurately detecting hydrogen concentrations within this designated range.