A novel Pd nanocube-graphene hybrid for hydrogen detection

Graphene-supported palladium (Pd) nanocubes were synthesized via a simple chemical method for use in hydrogen detection. Pd nanocubes were synthesized by a two-step chemical route (seed-mediated growth). Highly uniform colloidal Pd nanocubes with a size of 70 nm were simply reduced into graphene flakes by hydrazine in a facile one-step reaction. The resulting Pd nanocube-graphene hybrids were applied as novel hydrogen detection materials with high response and good selectivity. The resistivity-type sensor used with the Pd cube-graphene had a detectable range from 6 to 1000 ppm with good linearity at room temperature. In comparison with the H-2 sensor based on a pure Pd cube, the Pd cube-graphene had enhanced response, linearity, and stability. Moreover, the novel H-2 sensor based on Pd cube-graphene showed two-fold higher response than our previously reported Pd nanoparticle-graphene composite. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.