An amperometric H₂ gas sensor based on ionic liquid for hydrogen fuel cell ships

School of Energy and Power Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, 430063, Wuhan, Hubei, China

^* Corresponding author: zhanzhipeng@whut.edu.cn

Abstract

Hydrogen fuel cell ship is an important way to realize green shipping, and the safety of hydrogen fuel ship is primary issue that shall be concerned. H₂ gas sensors can provide online monitoring of H₂ concentration and it is an effective mean to insure safety of hydrogen fuel. In this study, an amperometric electrochemical H₂ gas sensor based on room-temperature ionic liquid was developed, which was expected to be applicable to monitoring of H₂ concentration in the hydrogen fuel cell ship. A threeelectrode H₂ gas sensor was fabricated by using room-temperature ionic liquid N, N, N-trimethyl-Nbutanesulfonic acid ammonium hydrogen sulfate ([TMBSA][HSO₄]) as electrolyte and using platinum black as catalyst. The H₂ gas sensor not only had the advantages of the conventional aqueous electrolyte sensor, such as high sensitivity, fast response, and the linear relationship between the response current and the concentration of H₂, but also overcame the problem that the conventional electrochemical gas sensor cannot be applied to high humidity environment. After storage in high-humidity environment (98% RH) for three weeks, the sensor had stable performances, with current signal drift less than 2.25%. The sensor has a good potential application prospect in ships with high temperature and humidity environment.