Enhancing high sensitive hydrogen detection of Bi2O3 nanoparticle decorated TiO2 nanotubes

An electrochemical anodization technique was used to create a hydrogen gas sensor based on TiO2 nanotubes decorated with bismuth oxide (Bi2O3). Bismuth nitrate pentahydrate (Bi(NO3)3·5H2O) was employed as the source material for Bi2O3. The resulting nanotubes were annealed at 500 °C, revealing an amorphous structure with a mixed phase of rutile and anatase. Platinum (Pt) electrodes, with a thickness of 100 nm, were coated onto the Bi2O3@TiO2/Ti and TiO2/Ti structures for sensor testing. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) were used to examine the structural, morphological, and surface properties of the Bi2O3@TiO2 and TiO2 nanotubes. The hydrogen sensing properties of the Pt/Bi2O3@TiO2/Ti and Pt/TiO2/Ti devices were evaluated at room temperature, with hydrogen concentrations ranging from 1000 ppm to 10 %. The I–V characterization of the sensor devices under 1 % H2 exhibited typical Schottky-type behavior. Remarkably, the Pt/Bi2O3@TiO2/Ti structure demonstrated a sensor response 1 × 107 times higher than that of in a dry air environment when the same voltage was applied under up to 1 % H2 conditions. The uniform dispersion of Bi2O3 nanoparticles throughout the structure contributed to the enhanced sensor response in the presence of H2.