Research Projects

Hydrogen, a clean energy carrier, is crucial for decarbonizing global energy systems and is used in various industries such as aerospace, medical, petrochemical, transportation, and energy. It is an odorless and colorless gas, and detection requires sensing devices for personnel and property safety. Hydrogen is hazardous when its concentration exceeds the LFL of 4 vol% in air, regardless of time at this concentration. High capital cost, complex operational requirements for sensors, and maintenance costs are major limiting factors for extensive sensor deployment. Efficient monitoring of H2 traces is essential for the production, storage, and use of this clean energy carrier. Pt and Pd nanoparticles have been used as catalytic materials for hydrogen gas, but their irreversible adsorption is a major limitation. PI's group has been actively involved in developing gas sensors based on heterojunction nanomaterials, particularly using electrospun carbon nanofibers. They have successfully developed hydrogen sensors using bimetallic (Au-Pt, Ni-Pt) nanoparticles functionalized carbon nanofibers using an on-chip coaxial electrospinning process, demonstrating superior trace-level H2 sensing properties. This proposal aims to develop cost-effective, room temperature operable flexible H2 sensor devices using novel less-Pt ternary alloy nanoparticles functionalized carbon nanofibers and integrating the device with sensor electronics. This will help simplify and economize operational requirements for hydrogen sensors in various energy production and utilization sectors.