Hafnium—an optical hydrogen sensor spanning six orders in pressure

C. Boelsma, L. J. Bannenberg, M. J. van Setten, N.-J. Steinke, A. A. van Well and B. Dam ()
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C. Boelsma: Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology
L. J. Bannenberg: Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology
M. J. van Setten: Institute of Condensed Matter and Nanosciences, Catholic University of Leuven
N.-J. Steinke: ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
A. A. van Well: Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology
B. Dam: Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Hydrogen detection is essential for its implementation as an energy vector. So far, palladium is considered to be the most effective hydrogen sensing material. Here we show that palladium-capped hafnium thin films show a highly reproducible change in optical transmission in response to a hydrogen exposure ranging over six orders of magnitude in pressure. The optical signal is hysteresis-free within this range, which includes a transition between two structural phases. A temperature change results in a uniform shift of the optical signal. This, to our knowledge unique, feature facilitates the sensor calibration and suggests a constant hydrogenation enthalpy. In addition, it suggests an anomalously steep increase of the entropy with the hydrogen/metal ratio that cannot be explained on the basis of a classical solid solution model. The optical behaviour as a function of its hydrogen content makes hafnium well-suited for use as a hydrogen detection material.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15718

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