Hydrogen responses of ultrathin Pd films and nanowire networks with a Ti buffer layer

We report on hydrogen responses of ultrathin films and nanowire networks of palladium on titanium buffered silicon substrates and filtration membranes, respectively. We found that in both systems signatures such as retarding responses and saturation of the resistance changes at high hydrogen concentrations associated with the transition from Pd/H solid solution to Pd hydride diminish with decreasing the thickness of the palladium layer from 7 to 2 nm. Our results not only reveal a new way to suppress the phase transition in Pd/H system but also provide an alternative approach to achieve fast and sensitive hydrogen sensors with a wide concentration detection range.