Formation of metal nanowires for use as variable-range hydrogen sensors
US7367215B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 14, 2006 |
| Grant date | May 6, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 17, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N33/005
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides for variable-range hydrogen sensors and methods for making same. Such variable-range hydrogen sensors comprise a series of fabricated Pd—Ag (palladium-silver) nanowires—each wire of the series having a different Ag to Pd ratio—with nanobreakjunctions in them and wherein the nanowires have predefined dimensions and orientation. When the nanowires are exposed to H2, their lattice swells when the H2 concentration reaches a threshold value (unique to that particular ratio of Pd to Ag). This causes the nanobreakjunctions to close leading to a 6-8 orders of magnitude decrease in the resistance along the length of the wire and providing a sensing mechanism for a range of hydrogen concentrations.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.