A novel yttria-doped ZrO2 based conductometric sensor for hydrogen leak monitoring

Pure and (8%)Y2O3-doped zirconium oxide commercial samples were investigated for developing a high performance conductometric hydrogen sensor. The morphological, microstructural, optical, and electrical characteristics of the samples were studied and compared. Conductometric sensors based on these samples were fabricated using a planar platform in alumina provided with interdigitated electrodes, and sensing tests were carried at different operating temperatures and hydrogen concentrations. Sensing tests revealed that the fabricated sensor based on the tetragonal ZrO2-Y2O3 (8%) showed the best performances in terms of sensor response (R-0/R-H2 = 7.3@10000 ppm of hydrogen), response and recovery time (5 and 10 s, respectively), and low operating temperature (150 degrees C). These characteristics have been exploited for developing the first hydrogen leak conductometric sensor based on ZrO2 so far reported. (c) 2022 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study investigates the development of a high-performance conductometric hydrogen sensor using pure and 8% Y2O3-doped zirconium oxide commercial samples. The sensor based on tetragonal ZrO2-Y2O3 (8%) exhibits the best performances in terms of sensor response, response and recovery time, and operating temperature.