Pd Nanocluster/Monolayer MoS Heterojunctions for Light-Induced Room-Temperature Hydrogen Sensing.

Developing sensing approaches that can exploit visible light for the detection of low-concentration hydrogen at room temperatures has become increasingly important for the safe use of hydrogen in many applications. In this study, heterostructures composed of monolayer MoS and Pd nanoclusters (Pd/MoS) acting as photo- and hydrogen-sensitizers are successfully fabricated in a facile and scalable manner. The uniform deposition of morphologically isotropic Pd nanoclusters (11.5 ± 2.2 nm) on monolayer MoS produces a plethora of active heterojunctions, effectively suppressing charge carrier recombination under light illumination. The dual photo- and hydrogen-sensitizing functionality of Pd/MoS can enable its use as an active sensing layer in optoelectronic hydrogen sensors. Gas-sensing examinations reveal that the sensing performance of Pd/MoS is enhanced three-fold under visible light illumination (17% for 140 ppm of H) in comparison with dark light (5% for 140 ppm of H). Photoactivation is also found to enable excellent sensing reversibility and reproducibility in the obtained sensor. As a proof-of-concept, the integration of Pd nanoclusters and monolayer MoS can open a new avenue for light-induced hydrogen gas sensing at room temperature.