Hydrogen gas sensing properties of WO3 sputter-deposited thin films enhanced by on-top deposited CuO nanoclusters

Magnetron-based gas aggregation cluster source (GAS) was used to prepare high-purity CuO (cupric oxide) nanoclusters on top of sputter-deposited thin film of tungsten trioxide (WO3). The material was assembled as a conductometric hydrogen gas sensor and its response was tested and evaluated. It is demonstrated that addition of CuO clusters noticeably enhances the sensitivity of the pure WO3 thin film. With an increasing amount of CuO clusters the sensitivity of CuO/WO3 system rises further. When CuO clusters form a sufficiently thick and compact layer, the resistance response is reversed. Based on the sensorial behavior, conventional and near-ambient pressure X-Ray photoemission spectroscopies, and resistivity measurements, we propose that the sensing mechanism is based on the formation of nano-sized p-n junctions in between p-type CuO and n-type WO3. The advantages of the GAS technique for preparing sensorial and/or catalytically active materials are emphasized. (C) 2018 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.