Palladium-silicondioxide-silicon structures as hydrogen sensors in electrolytes

Abstract

It is demonstrated that palladium-silicondioxide-silicon structures can be used to monitor hydrogen dissolved in electrolytes. It is shown that in acids (HCl) the small amount of naturally occurring hydrogen in the electrolyte is large enough to saturate the device with hydrogen. The principle of operation is suggested to be similar to that of the palladium-MOS structure kept in an inert atmosphere like argon.