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Visually Detect Hydrogen with Reversible Color Changing Pigments

Technology Benefits

Inexpensive reliable hydrogen detector Produces an easily noticeable color change Detector reverts back to original color when hydrogen is removed Easily applied to a wide range of substrates in many different environments and areas Has no moving parts and high durability

Technology Application

The technology can be used to produce inexpensive, user-friendly visual hydrogen detectors for hydrogen leak detection, monitoring, identification and quantification. Sensor manufactures, hydrogen production facilities and hydrogen transporter could utilize this technology to meet their monitoring needs by use of this inexpensive and reusable product. This chemochromic pigment can be added to injection molded parts, textiles, tape, paint, caulk, and more.

Detailed Technology Description

UCF research scientists have created a hydrogen detector that exhibits a noticeable color change in the presence of small quantities of hydrogen gas. This durable and highly sensitive visual hydrogen detector has a working temperature range from -100┬░C to +500┬░C. The hydrogen-sensitive pigment includes hydrogen sensitive compounds combined with nano-sized metal activator particles (catalysts) and then preferably coated on a porous or woven substrate. This substrate could be a polymer, ceramic, or even paint or tape (see UCF ID# 30572). These compounds are highly specific to hydrogen and exhibit no interference from other gases such as carbon monoxide, methane, ethylene, and/or ammonia. In the presence of hydrogen, the composition rapidly changes its color from white or light gray or light tan to dark gray, navy blue or black depending on the exposure time and hydrogen concentration in the medium. After hydrogen exposure ceases, the original color of the hydrogen sensitive pigment is restored, and the visual hydrogen detector can be used again. It has variable reversibility capability, which means the regeneration or bleaching time of the pigment can be easily altered from seconds to days with a simple change in composition.

*Abstract

Durable and highly sensitive, hydrogen specific, visual hydrogen detector for sensing a hydrogen leak or the presence of hydrogen in a confined environment from approximately 0.1% to approximately 100% by volume with the ability to operate in a wide range of temperatures, from -100┬░C to +500┬░C. This chemochromic pigment can be added to injection molded parts, textiles, tape, paint, caulk, and more.

*Principal Investigator

Name: Nazim Muradov, Principal Research Scientist: Advanced Energy Research

Department: Florida Solar Energy Center

Country/Region

USA