Synthesis of Pd or Pt/titanate nanotube and its application to catalytic type hydrogen gas sensor

A catalytic combustible gas sensor has been developed by using Pd and Pt/titanate nanotubes. Pd and Pt/titanate nanotube catalysts were synthesized by a hydrothermal synthesis method. Sensors were fabricated by screen-printing of the catalytic material and a compensating material on an alumina plate with a platinum heater. The sensor with Pd and Pt/titanate nanotubes showed higher response than that with conventional Pd and Pt catalysts. This seems to be due to the evenly dispersed Pd and Pt catalysts on the titanate nanotubes at a nano-scale level, and the better adsorption of hydrogen on the titanate nanotube surface which facilitates the oxidation of hydrogen by the Pd and Pt catalysts. The present flat-type catalytic combustible hydrogen sensor is a good candidate for detection of hydrogen.