MoS2–Cu based MOF hybrid materials for highly responsive hydrogen detection at room temperature

Hydrogen (H 2 ) gas is widely considered as a pivotal clean energy carrier in the transition toward a carbon-neutral society. However, unlike the well-established safety frameworks for natural gas and gasoline, the infrastructure supporting the deployment of H 2 energy remains underdeveloped. The development of reliable, selective, and highly responsive H 2 sensors that operate effectively under ambient conditions is therefore critical for enabling safe hydrogen technologies. In this work, we report a synergistic MoS 2 –Cu-based metal–organic framework (MOF) hybrid that exhibits exceptional room-temperature hydrogen sensing performance. Three hybrid materials including MoS 2 –CuBTC, MoS 2 –CuCAT, and MoS 2 –CuBDC were synthesized and systematically evaluated in terms of sensitivity, detection limit, selectivity, response/recovery time, and long-term stability. Among them, the MoS 2 –CuBTC composite demonstrated outstanding sensing characteristics, including a rapid response time of 9 s, recovery time of 7 s, and high sensitivity toward hydrogen concentrations ranging from 0.01% to 1% (100 ppm to 10,000 ppm), with excellent selectivity against common interfering gases at 20 °C. The superior sensing performance arises from interface-driven synergy between conductive MoS 2 nanosheets and the porous, catalytically active CuBTC framework. This interfacial coupling facilitates accelerated charge transfer, enhanced H 2 adsorption, and efficient catalytic dissociation, collectively amplifying the sensing response at room temperature. The resulting hybrid structure combines the advantages of both components, the high conductivity and surface reactivity of MoS 2 with the gas accessibility and redox-active sites of CuBTC into a single, multifunctional platform. This work highlights the rational design of interface-engineered 2D MoS 2 and MOF hybrids as a powerful strategy for developing next-generation, room temperature and Pd-free hydrogen sensors with high sensitivity, rapid kinetics, and long-term stability, offering a promising pathway toward real-time hydrogen safety monitoring and clean energy applications. • Three hybrid systems (MoS 2 –CuBTC, MoS 2 –CuCAT, and MoS 2 –CuBDC) were synthesized. • Prepared MoS 2 –Cu MOF hybrids were compared for room-temperature hydrogen detection. • MoS 2 –CuBTC had superior performance, with 9s response, 7s recovery, high selectivity. • The broad detection range (0.01–1% H 2 ) and excellent long-term stability were achieved. • Provides a low-cost and Pd-free sensing for H 2 safety monitoring and clean energy applications.