Fast and highly-sensitive hydrogen sensing of Nb2O5 nanowires at room temperature

The single-crystalline Nb2O5 nanowires with tetragonal phase structures were synthesized through thermal oxidation process. The Nb2O5 nanowires were grown along [001] orientation and formed a layer of free-standing nanowire membrane. A pair of platinum electrodes was deposited on the surface of the nanowire layer to fabricate a Pt/Nb2O5 nanowire hydrogen sensor. The Pt/Nb2O5 nanowire hydrogen sensor exhibited fast, highly-sensitive and selective hydrogen response at room temperature, which may be attributed to the hydrogen induced interface and surface effects together with the high specific surface area of the Nb2O5 nanowires.

► A layer of Nb2O5 nanowire membrane was synthesized by thermal oxidation.
► Pt/Nb2O5 sensor shows fast and sensitive room-temperature H2 sensing property.
► The sensor integrated the advantages of thin films and nanowires.
► The H2 sensing should be due to the H2 induced interface and surface effects.