Development of TiO2 nanotubes for hydrogen sensing application

The demand for accurate, fast response hydrogen detection is critical in several industries especially in medical diagnostics. Titania nanotubes used as the sensing element, were fabricated by anodization technique followed by annealing at 500°C. Nanotubes produced was found to have pore size ranging from 38 nm to 48 nm for inner diameter, 57 nm to 73 nm for outer diameter with applied anodization voltage of 10 V, 12 V and 15 V. Titania nanotubes film was then integrated into a sensor configuration and tested for its sensing properties. The sample of titania nanotubes with the smallest pore size was found to exhibit the highest sensitivity for detection of hydrogen with concentration as low as 10 ppm. The sensitivity of the hydrogen sensor was also found to be higher when the sensor is operated at temperature 300°C.