New Sensor Material Opens Path to Safer and More Efficient Hydrogen Detection
Nikola Baran, Mile Ivanda and Monika Šoltić.
In a significant advancement in hydrogen detection technology, a team of researchers from the Ruđer Bošković Institute (IRB) and the Centre of Excellence for Advanced Materials and Sensors (CEMS) has developed a new sensor material that detects hydrogen with high accuracy and operates exceptionally well at higher temperatures. This breakthrough promises to enhance safety and efficiency in industries and environments where hydrogen monitoring is crucial.
Hydrogen, a promising source of clean energy, is notoriously difficult to detect due to its colorless and odorless nature, posing significant risks due to its high flammability. The collaborative effort, involving scientists from Slovenia and Hungary, focuses on tackling this challenge in an eco-friendly and cost-effective manner by using platinum nanoparticles and a special form of iron oxide known as hematite.
The research team, led by Dr. Nikola Baran along with Dr. Mile Ivanda, Monika Šoltić, Dr. Marijan Gotić, Dr. Zoltán Klencsár, and Professor Goran Dražić, developed the material through a process called ball milling, which mixes substances intensely without harmful chemical solvents. The mixture of platinum and iron oxide was then tested under various hydrogen concentrations and temperatures, showing that even a small amount of platinum (1%) significantly enhances the sensor's performance without increasing costs.
"Our research has not only demonstrated that these sensors can detect extremely low hydrogen concentrations at room temperature but also that their effectiveness improves at higher temperatures," explains Dr. Baran, the corresponding author of the study published in the journal Sensors and Actuators A: Physical. "The presence of platinum allows the material to interact with hydrogen in a detectable way, and the process is reversible, meaning the sensor can be used multiple times."
This new material performs well across a wide range of hydrogen concentrations and temperatures, making it an ideal choice for industrial and energy settings. The quick and reliable detection capabilities ensure that safety measures can be promptly implemented, reducing the risk of accidents associated with hydrogen leaks.
The development of this innovative material was supported by multiple projects within CEMS, the research unit New Functional Materials, and the Croatian Science Foundation project "Platinum decorated iron tin oxide solid solutions for hydrogen gas sensing" led by Dr. Marijan Gotić. Additional financial support was provided by the Hungarian National Office for Research, Development, and Innovation (NKFIH).
This international collaboration highlights the potential of global partnerships in advancing material sciences and sensor technology, setting a new standard for hydrogen safety measures in various industrial applications.
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