Fiber-tip Fabry–Pérot interferometer with a graphene–Au–Pd cantilever for trace hydrogen sensing

Abstract

The widespread utilization of hydrogen energy has increased the demand for trace hydrogen detection. In this work, we propose a fiber-optic hydrogen sensor based on a Fabry–Pérot Interferometer (FPI) consisting of a fiber-tip graphene–Au–Pd submicron film cantilever. The palladium (Pd) film on the cantilever surface is used as hydrogen-sensitive material to obtain high sensing sensitivity. Hydrogen sensing is realized by monitoring the resonant frequency shift of the FPI introduced by the interaction between Pd film and hydrogen molecules. The hydrogen sensor is proven for low-hydrogen-concentration detection with hydrogen concentrations in the range of 0–1000 ppm, and experimentally characterized by a highest sensitivity of 30.3 pm ppm⁻¹ in a low hydrogen concentration of 0–100 ppm, which is more than two orders higher than for previously reported FPI-based sensors. In real-time hydrogen monitoring, a rapid reaction time of 31.5 s was achieved. This work provides a compact all-optical solution for the safe detection of low hydrogen concentrations, which is an interesting alternative for trace hydrogen detection in the aerospace industry, energy production, and medical applications.