Room temperature hydrogen gas sensors of functionalized carbon nanotubes based hybrid nanostructure: Role of Pt sputtered nanoparticles

Fast detection of H2 gas at room temperature has constantly remained a challenge. The metal-oxide based gas sensors have shown excellent sensing properties for gases like H2, NO, CO and NH3. In the present work, the H2 gas sensing characteristics of multiwalled carbon nanotubes based hybrid sensor (F-MWCNTs/TiO2/Pt) has been reported. The fabricated sensor shows 3.9% sensitivity for low concentration i.e. 0.05% of H2 with good repeatability and stability at room temperature. The sensing response of F-MWCNTs/TiO2/Pt is interrelated to change in their resistance on the introduction of H2 gas and this phenomenon is required for deep understanding the effect of H2 adsorption on their electronic conduction. The improvement in sensitivity of F-MWCNTs/TiO2/Pt as compared to MWCNTs/TiO2 towards H2 is because of the catalytic role of dispersed Pt nanoparticles deposited by sputtering.