Sensing behavior of an amperometric hydrogen sensor: Theoretical modeling and experimental verification

Journal Article · Thu Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1995 · Journal of the Electrochemical Society

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1149/1.2044215· OSTI ID:82920

Tan, Y; Tan, T C ^[1]

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1. National Univ. of Singapore (Singapore). Dept. of Chemical Engineering

A solid-state hydrogen sensor was fabricated with a 9% yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) disk sandwiched between two platinum films; one of which was completely covered by a catalyst with a composition of 7CuO-10ZnO-3Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}. Its hydrogen sensing characteristics in a mixture of nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen were examined under limiting current conditions with respect to oxygen. The sensor response was adequately correlated against the hydrogen concentration and the operating temperature according to a proposed theoretical model, which relates the response to the rate processes occurring in the catalyst, the solid-state electrolyte, and the electrodes. The response equation given by the model consists of a first-order and a half-order hydrogen concentration terms. The model shows that the first-order concentration effect would prevail at high hydrogen concentrations using a sensor consisting of a thick compact layer of highly active catalyst and a thick solid-state electrolyte. On the other hand, the present experimental sensor with a thin porous layer of moderately active catalyst and a thin YSZ disk electrode showed, as described by the model, a response of half-order hydrogen concentration dependence in a gas mixture containing 0.018 to 0.18 mole percent of hydrogen.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 82920
• Journal Information: Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Journal Name: Journal of the Electrochemical Society Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 142; ISSN 0013-4651; ISSN JESOAN
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

08 HYDROGEN
ALUMINIUM OXIDES
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CONCENTRATION RATIO
COPPER OXIDES
ELECTROLYTIC CELLS
FABRICATION
HYDROGEN
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MONITORS
PERFORMANCE
ZINC OXIDES
ZIRCONIUM OXIDES