Triboelectric Hydrogen Gas Sensor with Pd Functionalized Surface.
Palladium (Pd)-based hydrogen (H₂) gas sensors have been widely investigated thanks to its fast reaction and high sensitivity to hydrogen. Various sensing mechanisms have been adopted for H₂ gas sensors; however, all the sensors must be powered through an external battery. We report here an H₂ gas sensor that can detect H₂ by measuring the output voltages generated during contact electrification between two friction surfaces. When the H₂ sensor, composed of Pd-coated ITO (indium tin oxide) and PET (polyethylene Terephthalate) film, is exposed to H₂, its output voltage is varied in proportion to H₂ concentration because the work function (WF) of Pd-coated surface changes, altering triboelectric charging behavior. Specifically, the output voltage of the sensor is gradually increased as exposing H₂ concentration increases. Reproducible and sensitive sensor response was observed up 1% H₂ exposure. The approach introduced here can easily be adopted to development of triboelectric gas sensors detecting other gas species.
Department of Electrical Engineering, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea. shinsh@cnu.ac.kr.
Sung-Ho
SH
Shin
Department of Electrical Engineering, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea. yhkwon@cnu.ac.kr.
Yang Hyeog
YH
Kwon
Department of Electrical Engineering, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea. kyhwan@cnu.ac.kr.
Young-Hwan
YH
Kim
Department of Nano Manufacturing Technology, Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials, Daejeon 34103, Korea. jjy2121@kimm.re.kr.
Joo-Yun
JY
Jung
Department of Electrical Engineering, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea. jnah@cnu.ac.kr.
Junghyo
J
Nah
H2 detection; gas sensor; palladium; self-powered sensor; triboelectricity