A UV-Photon-Energy-Integrated Gas Sensor Based on Pt-Nanoparticle-Decorated TiO₂ Nanorods for Room-Temperature Hydrogen Detection

Hydrogen sensors play a crucial role in ensuring safety in various industrial applications. In this study, we demonstrated the use of a room-temperature hydrogen gas sensor based on Pt-nanoparticle-decorated TiO₂ nanorods (TiO₂ NRs/Pt NP). The TiO₂ NRs were synthesized via a hydrothermal method, followed by Pt deposition using sputtering and thermal annealing. Under UV illumination, the TiO₂ NR/Pt NP gas sensor exhibited a remarkable response of 2.4 at a 1% hydrogen concentration, which is approximately 5.9 times higher than that of bare TiO₂ NRs measured in the dark. This enhancement is attributed to the synergistic effect of Pt NPs, which promote charge separation and spillover for oxygen molecules, and UV activation, which generates additional carriers. Moreover, the sensor demonstrated stable and reliable detection of hydrogen concentrations up to 1% without the need for external heating, underscoring its practical applicability under ambient conditions. These results demonstrate that TiO₂ NRs/Pt NP, combined with UV activation, provide a promising approach for highly sensitive and room-temperature hydrogen detection, offering significant potential for hydrogen monitoring and hydrogen energy systems.