Photothermal-assisted hydrogen permeation enhancement

Herein, we propose and demonstrate a novel all-optical photothermal-assisted hydrogen permeation enhancement scheme by using a special optics-mechanics synergistic fiber optic hydrogen sensor. This design is mainly based on the interdependencies between Pd-hydrogen reaction temperature and hydrogen permeation; as to observe the influence that the photothermal effect has on the hydrogen permeation, this influence is converted to the time-dependent response of the Pd-based hydrogen sensor. Thus, we designed a special optics-mechanics synergistic fiber optic hydrogen sensor, which is convenient for investigating the influence of the photothermal effect and looking at hydrogen permeation, for static and dynamic hydrogen detection. The configuration of this optics-mechanics synergistic fiber optic hydrogen sensor, viewed from the perspective of the form, consists of a fiber Fabry-Perot (FP) cavity and a hydrogen-sensitive Pd nano-film; the Pd film bestows it hydrogen detection capability and undertakes the influence of photothermal effect. The experimental results reveal that this optics-mechanics synergistic fiber optic hydrogen sensor can be used for high efficiency hydrogen sensing and the validation of temperature-dependent hydrogen permeation, and all-optical photothermal assistance can be regarded as a new effective method to enhance absorption/dehydrogenation rate, which is beneficial for achieving rapid and real-time hydrogen detection. • A novel all-optical photothermal-assisted hydrogen permeation enhancement scheme is proposed and demonstrated. • A miniature optics-mechanics synergistic fiber optic hydrogen sensor is proposed. • This hydrogen sensor can be used for the validation of temperature-dependent hydrogen permeation. • This photothermal assistance scheme can be regarded as a new effective method to enhance absorption/dehydrogenation rate. • This proposed photothermal assistance scheme is beneficial for achieving rapid and real-time hydrogen detection.