Ultra-Sensitive Photo-Induced Hydrogen Gas Sensor Based on Two-Dimensional CeO(2)-Pd-PDA/rGO Heterojunction Nanocomposite

A two-dimensional (2D) CeO(2)-Pd-PDA/rGO heterojunction nanocomposite has been synthesised via an environmentally friendly, energy efficient, and facile wet chemical procedure and examined for hydrogen (H(2)) gas sensing application for the first time. The H(2) gas sensing performance of the developed conductometric sensor has been extensively investigated under different operational conditions, including working temperature up to 200 °C, UV illumination, H(2) concentrations from 50–6000 ppm, and relative humidity up to 30% RH. The developed ceria-based nanocomposite sensor was functional at a relatively low working temperature (100 °C), and its sensing properties were improved under UV illumination (365 nm). The sensor’s response towards 6000 ppm H(2) was drastically enhanced in a humid environment (15% RH), from 172% to 416%. Under optimised conditions, this highly sensitive and selective H(2) sensor enabled the detection of H(2) molecules down to 50 ppm experimentally. The sensing enhancement mechanisms of the developed sensor were explained in detail. The available 4f electrons and oxygen vacancies on the ceria surface make it a promising material for H(2) sensing applications. Moreover, based on the material characterisation results, highly reactive oxidant species on the sensor surface formed the electron–hole pairs, facilitated oxygen mobility, and enhanced the H(2) sensing performance.