Trace hydrogen detection
plays an important role in the safety
detection of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to the generation and
leakage of trace hydrogen in the early stage of LIBs damage. In this
work, an amperometric hydrogen sensor based on solid polymer electrolyte
was reported. The sandwich device structure was realized, which could
directly diffuse the gas from both sides to the three-phase interface
(gas/electrode/electrolyte) to participate in the reaction through
the optimal design of the gas diffusion path. Then, platinum nanoparticles
(Pt-NPs) were loaded on the metal foam by electroplating, and the
porous electrode was filled with solid polymer electrolyte. A sensor
with high specific surface area, high catalytic activity, and high
sensitivity was obtained. Finally, the hydrogen oxidation reaction
(HOR) mechanism of the platinum-loaded (Pt-loaded) titanium foam (Ti
foam) electrode under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions was verified,
and the properties of the sensor was evaluated. The hydrogen sensor
with a “sandwich” structure has the advantages of high
sensitivity, good stability, low detection limit and low cost, which
provides a technical solution for the safety and real-time monitoring
of LIBs.