New sensor detects very low concentrations of hydrogen

[ Instrument Network Instrument Development ] As people's attention to non-renewable resources continues to increase, hydrogen energy is widely valued. Although hydrogen energy is clean and non-polluting, and it can be regenerated, it also has a drawback, that is, hydrogen is flammable and explosive, and the danger is relatively high, so it is very important to prevent hydrogen leakage during use. However, hydrogen is a colorless, odorless gas, so it is generally difficult to detect leaking hydrogen in the environment.

At present, there are many hydrogen detectors on the market. Common hydrogen detection instruments include hydrogen detection alarms, hydrogen analyzers, hydrogen detectors, and hydrogen on-line detection systems. Although these instruments have the advantages of small size and portability, most of them are instruments. When detecting low concentrations of hydrogen, it appears to be less powerful.

According to Xinhuanet, researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, have developed a high-sensitivity sensor that can detect hydrogen at very low concentrations. It is expected to be used in some places where hydrogen fuel is used. There is a hydrogen leak. Related papers were published in the Dutch academic journal Sensors and Actuators B: Chemistry.

The design principle of this high-sensitivity sensor comes from the fact that the resistance changes when the material such as zinc oxide is in contact with hydrogen. In addition, according to the introduction, the sensor is more widely used than the general hydrogen sensor, and has better applicability: the general hydrogen sensor requires a high temperature of about 250 degrees Celsius to activate the relevant chemical reaction, but this new type of sensor is The addition of carbon nanofibers achieves the same effect at 150 degrees Celsius. This makes it unnecessary to use a heater with a higher temperature in the new sensor, which has a greater application value.

According to reports, in the environment where the hydrogen concentration is 100ppm (1ppm is a millionth), the detection sensitivity of this sensor can reach 74%, and the detection time is shorter, only 25 seconds. It is foreseeable that if the sensor is applied to hydrogen leak detection in a hydrogen fuel use environment, it will greatly enhance the ability of these sites to avoid disasters early.

The development of science and technology is a process of discovering problems and solving problems. The invention of the new sensor is not only an advancement in the field of sensors, but also will help the development and use of hydrogen energy, and provide technical support for the safe use of hydrogen energy.

Source: Xinhuanet