Organic hydrogen gas sensor with palladium-coated β-phase poly(vinylidene fluoride) thin films

We have proposed an organic hydrogen gas sensor in which palladium (Pd)-coated beta-phase poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) films are utilized. Volume expansion of the Pd thin film caused by absorption of hydrogen gas is monitored by a piezoelectric thin film of PVDF attached to the Pd films. We have developed a simple method of synthesizing beta-phase PVDF films from alpha-phase PVDF powder by using a wet process in which a mixture of acetone and hexamethylphosphoric triamide is used as the solvent for the PVDF powder. The sensor works by itself at room temperature without a power source. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4764064]