Application of CuO_x-CeO_2 catalysts as selective sensor substrates for detection of CO in H_2 fuel

摘要

The applicability and mechanism of CuO_x-CeO_2 as a catalytic microsensor substrate enabling 100% selective detection of low concentration CO in gas mixtures with H_2 is described.rnProton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) using H_2 fuel are a promising source of portable power for electronic devices and transportation. However, as CO is a common poison for PEMFC electrodes and also a common contaminant in H_2, it is critical to be able to detect and quantify CO contamination at low levels in concentrated H_2 fuel. A selective catalyst for low level CO detection in H_2 is presented in this work. Sensors for on-line detection of CO in portable devices must be small in size, cost, and power consumption, and possess high sensitivity. These requirements have been met with microelec-tromechanical system (MEMS) signal transducers. However, all current microsensor technologies use materials that are inherently unselective to CO, give rise to false positive responses in the presence of H_2, and require arrays of sensors for gas identification.