Enhanced H2 gas sensing performances by Pd-loaded In2O3 microspheres

Hydrogen (H 2 ) energy, as a clean energy source, has high energy density and durability, while H 2 is flammable and explosive, which requires strict safety technology measures to ensure the safety of high-pressure storage transportation. Therefore, the development of sensitive sensors is needed. In this study, In 2 O 3 microspheres with different Pd loadings were fabricated by hydrothermal method. Compared with the pristine In 2 O 3 gas sensor, the optimal operating temperature of the In 2 O 3 sensor is reduced from 160 ℃ to 80 ℃ after loading Pd. Among the prepared Pd/In 2 O 3 gas sensors, the response value of the 2 at% Pd/In 2 O 3 sensor towards 1000 ppm H 2 is 50.743 at 80 ℃. The response/recovery time is 80 s/235 s. The improved H 2 sensing performance can be ascribed to the chemical and electron sensitization of Pd, and the formation of PdO, PdH x . This study shows that Pd-loaded In 2 O 3 can effectively reduce the optimal operating temperature and enhance the response value for detecting H 2 in the range of 5-5000 ppm. Therefore, this sensor has good application prospects for detecting H 2 at low temperatures.