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Simple Optical Fiber Sensor for Express and Cross-Sensitive Hydrogen Detection
Elena Miliutina1,2, Yuliia Viktosenko1, Andrii Trelin1
1Department of Solid State Engineering, University of Chemistry and Technology, 166 28 Prague, Czech Republic.
ACS Sensors
|January 7, 2026
Summary
A new optical hydrogen sensor uses a plasmon-active fiber coated with palladium and PDMS layers. This sensor offers fast, reliable hydrogen detection with protection against interfering gases and humidity.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Sensor Technology
- Optical Engineering
Background:
- Growing use of hydrogen as an energy source necessitates robust, inexpensive hydrogen sensors.
- Existing sensors often lack crucial features like small size, corrosion resistance, and immunity to interfering factors.
- Key sensor parameters include sensitivity, selectivity, stability, and remote operation capability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a simple, cost-effective optical hydrogen sensor meeting critical performance criteria.
- To investigate the efficacy of a plasmon-active optical fiber coated with palladium and PDMS for hydrogen sensing.
- To evaluate the sensor's response time, regeneration, operating temperature range, and resistance to environmental factors.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a sensor using a plasmon-active multimode optical fiber.
- Stepwise coating of the fiber with palladium (Pd) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layers.
- Utilizing the shift in plasmon absorption band wavelength due to Pd hydrogenation for hydrogen detection.
- Testing sensor performance with various interfering gases (NO2, CH4, CO2, CO, NH3) and humidity.
Main Results:
- The Pd layer facilitates hydrogen detection via hydrogenation, causing a significant wavelength shift in the plasmon absorption band.
- The additional PDMS layer effectively protects the sensor from interfering gases and moisture.
- The sensor exhibits a rapid response time (tens of seconds) and a regeneration time of approximately 2 minutes.
- The sensor operates effectively from room temperature to 80 °C, with a minor performance decrease at higher temperatures.
Conclusions:
- The developed optical fiber sensor is a simple and effective solution for hydrogen detection.
- The sensor meets key requirements for practical hydrogen sensing applications, including speed, protection, and operational range.
- This technology holds promise for safe and widespread hydrogen utilization.
