Self-Powered Thermoelectric Hydrogen Sensors Based on Low-Cost Bismuth Sulfide Thin Films: Quick Response at Room Temperature.

ABSTRACT

Thermoelectric (TE)-based gas sensors have attracted significant attention due to their high selectivity, low power consumption, and minimum maintenance requirements. However, it is challenging to find low-cost, environmentally friendly materials and simple device fabrication processes for large-scale applications. Herein, we report self-powered thermoelectric hydrogen (TEH) sensors based on bismuth sulfide (Bi2S3) fabricated from a low-cost Bi2S3 TE layer and platinum (Pt) catalyst. When working at room temperature, the monomorphic-type TEH sensor obtained an output response signal of 42.2 µV with a response time of 17 s at a 3% hydrogen atmosphere. To further improve device performance, we connected the patterned Bi2S3 films in series to increase the Seebeck coefficient to -897 µV K-1. For comparison, the resulting N tandem-type TEH sensor yielded a distinguished output voltage of 101.4 µV, which was greater than the monomorphic type by a factor of 2.4. Significantly, the response and recovery time of the N-tandem-type TEH sensor to 3% hydrogen were shortened to 14 and 15 s, respectively. This work provides a simple, environmentally friendly, and low-cost strategy for fabricating high-performance TEH sensors by applying low-cost Bi2S3 TE materials.