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Kinetic-dimension-enabled hydrogen sensing via spillover in oriented conductive polymer fiber networks
Shiteng Wu1, Mingyang Lu1, Zerui Li2
1College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymer Materials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610065 China. yangjl@scu.edu.cn.
Nanoscale
|May 18, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a new sensor for precise hydrogen purity monitoring. It uses a novel fiber network to detect trace carbon monoxide (CO) in hydrogen gas, ensuring safer utilization.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Sensor Technology
Background:
- Accurate hydrogen purity monitoring is crucial for safe hydrogen energy applications.
- Conventional sensors struggle to quantify trace carbon monoxide (CO) due to similar adsorption behaviors with hydrogen (H2).
- Existing chemiresistive sensors lack the sensitivity and selectivity for reliable CO detection in H2.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel sensor capable of accurately quantifying trace CO in H2.
- To overcome the limitations of conventional sensors in distinguishing CO from H2.
- To establish a new sensing mechanism based on kinetic dimensions for improved selectivity.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a platinum-decorated, highly oriented PEDOT:PSS/PEO fiber network.
- Utilizing inter-fiber potential barriers (IFB) and hydrogen spillover for sensing.
- Implementing a kinetic-dimension-based sensing mechanism by analyzing saturation time constants (τ).
- Leveraging catalytic-site competition between CO and H2 at Pt sites.
Main Results:
- Achieved ppb-level H2 detection at room temperature via spillover-activated IFB.
- Demonstrated that CO is electronically silent towards IFB but chemically active at Pt sites.
- Quantitatively resolved CO content in H2/CO mixtures by integrating the saturation time constant (τ) as a kinetic signal.
- Showcased the ability to detect CO even when amplitude signals were indistinguishable.
Conclusions:
- Established a materials strategy for spillover-activated polymer sensors.
- Introduced a generalizable framework for kinetic-dimension-enabled chemiresistive sensing.
- The developed sensor offers a promising solution for accurate hydrogen purity monitoring and safe hydrogen utilization.
