Presentation of a multilayer nanosensor for gas detection by palladium-membrane with emphasis on hydrogen gas

Abstract

Hydrogen gas sensors, based on palladium membranes, have considerable applications in areas such asindustry, aerospace, and green energy monitoring. In this paper, we propose a surface plasmon resonance nanosensor,in which the main metal sensor is taken to be gold with a thin nanolayer of palladium membrane. The reason we chosepalladium is its exceptional property of having high permittivity to hydrogen penetration. In this paper, formation ofpalladium hydride (PdHx , where x = H / Pd) is achieved and simulation is provided using Materials Studio software.Based on an intermediate assumption, a semiconductor gold composite layer is used instead of gold, because the compositelayer gives higher efficiency. In the final structure, twelve alternating layers of gold and silicon are used (silicon and goldwith thicknesses of 0.53 and 13.6 nm, respectively). The proposed structure is simulated under carbon monoxide exposureto analyze its cross-sensitivity to other gases. Finally, the sensor shows higher sensitivity and narrower linewidth underhydrogen exposure compared to carbon monoxide exposure.