Wearable colorimetric sensing fiber based on polyacrylonitrile with PdO@ZnO hybrids for the application of detecting H₂ leakage

A colorimetric hydrogen sensor has great potential for accurately detecting and monitoring the leakage of hydrogen gas on account of its fast color change in contact with hydrogen gas. However, for the practical application of the sensor, such as in gas detection systems in clothing, the flexibility and stability of the sensor need to be improved. Here, we present a novel method to fabricate a flexible colorimetric hydrogen sensor with the stable embedment of sensing material. To improve the flexibility and stability of the sensor, polyacrylonitrile nanofiber containing palladium oxide and zinc oxide hybrid nanoparticles was prepared by electrospinning. The flexible colorimetric hydrogen sensor can detect 1000 ppm hydrogen gas with excellent selectivity within 2 min. We also suggest film and yarn-type flexible colorimetric hydrogen sensors for industrial and wearable applications. A laminating process was used to prepare the film. In contrast, twisting and polydimethylsiloxane coating were used to prepare the yarn-type flexible colorimetric hydrogen sensor. Compared with a flexible colorimetric hydrogen-sensing nanofiber, the film and yarn show identical sensitivity for detecting a hydrogen leakage. These applications of hydrogen sensors could be a new insight into the design of a flexible sensor for detecting hydrogen leakage with the naked eye.