Palladium-PTFE Metal-Polymer Nanocomposite Film Produced by Cosputtering for Hydrogen Sensing Applications
Lars Bannenberg (TU Delft - RID/TS/Instrumenten groep)
Gopi Krishnan (Technical University of Denmark (DTU))
Bart Boshuizen (TU Delft - ChemE/O&O groep)
Herman Schreuders (TU Delft - ChemE/O&O groep)
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Abstract
Here, we show that we can synthesize free-standing palladium nanoparticles with a size of about 5 nm embedded in a fluorinated polymer matrix using magnetron codeposition and a subsequent annealing step. Indeed, we deposit with magnetron sputtering at the same time PTFE and Pd, and a subsequent thermal annealing step under a hydrogen atmosphere ensures agglomeration of the Pd atoms into small nanoparticles. This scalable vapor-based method allows deposition on all kinds of surfaces, including substrates and optical fibers. Using a combination of transmission electron microscopy, grazing-incidence diffraction, neutron and X-ray reflectometry, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, we characterize the nanocomposite films and the palladium particles inside. These palladium nanoparticles could have a variety of applications in catalysis, hydrogen compressors, and optical hydrogen sensors. For the later application, we show using optical transmission measurements that the nanoparticles can reversibly absorb hydrogen, having well-defined steps in optical transmission when the hydrogen pressure is changed. Owing to their small size, the polymer matrix, and high surface-to-volume ratio, the nanoparticles show subsecond response times to changes in hydrogen concentration.