Pd-Decorated Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Sensor for Hydrogen Detection.

As hydrogen (H₂) gas is highly reactive and explosive in ambient atmosphere, its prompt detection in industrial areas is imperative to prevent serious accidents. In particular, high-performance H₂ sensors that can promptly detect even low-concentrations of H₂ gas are necessary for safety. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have a large surface area and a high surface-to-volume ratio, and therefore, they are suitable for use as sensing materials in gas sensors. Moreover, gold, platinum, and palladium are known to be excellent catalyst metals that increase reactivity with H₂ gas through the catalytic effect referred to as spill-over mechanism. In this study, a CNT felt sensor with a palladium (Pd) layer was fabricated, and its reactivity with H₂ was evaluated. The sensitivity of a CNT felt sensor to H₂ gas at room temperature was found to improve when coated with Pd layer.