Pd/Attapulgite Core-Shell Structured Catalytic Combustion Gas Sensor for Highly Sensitive Real-Time Methane Detection

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Catalytic combustion gas sensors are vital for safety and environmental monitoring.
• Current sensors face challenges with sensitivity and detection limits.
• Expanding market demands necessitate improved sensor technology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a low-cost, high-sensitivity catalytic combustion gas sensor.
• To utilize attapulgite as a support material functionalized with palladium (Pd).
• To investigate the sensor's performance for methane detection.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of Pd/attapulgite core-shell structure.
• Characterization using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS).
• Testing methane catalytic combustion performance and reaction kinetics.

Main Results:

• Achieved methane catalytic combustion below 300 °C.
• Demonstrated a sensitivity of 0.7 µV/ppm and a detection limit of ~36 ppm.
• Confirmed Pd gradient distribution and Langmuir equation conformity for reaction kinetics (R² > 0.99).

Conclusions:

• The Pd/attapulgite sensor offers a cost-effective solution with high sensitivity.
• The unique core-shell structure and Pd distribution enhance performance.
• The sensor shows significant potential for practical applications in safety monitoring.