Hydrogen Sensing with a Single Palladium Nanowire

摘要

We describe the properties of single nanocrystalline palladium (Pd) nanowires for the resistance-based detection of hydrogen gas (H_2). These Pd nanowires were prepared on glass surfaces using the Lithographically Patterned Nanowire Electrodeposition (LPNE) method. Pd nanowires had a mean grain size of 15 (±3) nm and a height and width in the range from 11 to 48 nm and 36 to 93 nm, respectively. Sensors consisting of a single Pd nanowire and an evaporated gold electrical contact demonstrated a limit-of-detection for H_2 of 2 ppm and withstood repeated exposures to 10% H_2 without fracturing. Response and recovery times for nanowires were directly correlated with their lateral dimensions. The reproducibility of the resistance response to H_2 and the stability of the resistance baseline were both excellent.