Metal–polymer hybrid nanomaterials for plasmonic ultrafast hydrogen detection
Journal article, 2019

Hydrogen–air mixtures are highly flammable. Hydrogen sensors are therefore of paramount importance for timely leak detection during handling. However, existing solutions do not meet the stringent performance targets set by stakeholders, while deactivation due to poisoning, for example by carbon monoxide, is a widely unsolved problem. Here we present a plasmonic metal–polymer hybrid nanomaterial concept, where the polymer coating reduces the apparent activation energy for hydrogen transport into and out of the plasmonic nanoparticles, while deactivation resistance is provided via a tailored tandem polymer membrane. In concert with an optimized volume-to-surface ratio of the signal transducer uniquely offered by nanoparticles, this enables subsecond sensor response times. Simultaneously, hydrogen sorption hysteresis is suppressed, sensor limit of detection is enhanced, and sensor operation in demanding chemical environments is enabled, without signs of long-term deactivation. In a wider perspective, our work suggests strategies for next-generation optical gas sensors with functionalities optimized by hybrid material engineering.

polymer

palladium alloy

hydrogen sensor

plastic

plasmonics

Author

Ferry Nugroho

Chalmers, Physics, Chemical Physics

Iwan Darmadi

Chalmers, Physics, Chemical Physics

Lucy Cusinato

Chalmers, Physics, Chemical Physics

Arturo Susarrey- Arce

Chalmers, Physics, Chemical Physics

Herman Schreuders

Delft University of Technology

Lars J. Bannenberg

Delft University of Technology

Alice Bastos da Silva Fanta

Technical University of Denmark (DTU)

Shima Kadkhodazadeh

Technical University of Denmark (DTU)

Jakob B. Wagner

Technical University of Denmark (DTU)

Tomasz Antosiewicz

Chalmers, Physics, Bionanophotonics

Anders Hellman

Chalmers, Physics, Chemical Physics

Vladimir Zhdanov

Chalmers, Physics, Biological Physics

Bernard Dam

Delft University of Technology

Christoph Langhammer

Chalmers, Physics, Chemical Physics

Nature Materials

1476-1122 (ISSN) 1476-4660 (eISSN)

Vol. 18 5 489-495

Areas of Advance

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

Materials Science

Subject Categories

Physical Chemistry

Other Engineering and Technologies not elsewhere specified

Condensed Matter Physics

Infrastructure

Chalmers Materials Analysis Laboratory

Nanofabrication Laboratory

DOI

10.1038/s41563-019-0325-4

PubMed

30936481

More information

Latest update

4/5/2022 6