Adsorption and sensing properties of dissolved gases in transformer oil using Cun and Pdn (n=1–3) cluster doped WSe2 monolayers

When the transformer fails, the transformer oil will decompose and produce fault characteristic gases. Detecting dissolved gases in the oil is significant to maintaining the safety and stability of the transformers. This manuscript mainly studies six modified substrates of Cun and Pdn (n=1–3) clusters modified WSe2, and applies them to detect three target gases (CO, CH4, C2H2). By analyzing key parameters based on density functional theory, TMn clusters can effectively improve the electrical conductivity of WSe2 and improve the detection ability of target gases. The order of adsorption effects of target gases on six modified substrates is as follow: TM1-WSe2 is consistent with Cu3-WSe2 (C2H2 > CO > CH4), and TM2-WSe2 is the same with Pd3-WSe2 (CO > C2H2 > CH4). The optimal recovery time for each gas is ultimately determined and these modifications are found to be effective in distinguishing and detecting the three gases. The research results show that WSe2 can be used as a gas sensor material, which provides a theoretical basis for detecting the operating status of oil-immersed transformers. [Display omitted] •The electrical conductivity of the modified metal clusters are enhanced.•Adsorption energy, recovery time and sensitivity indicate that the metal clusters modified substrate have ideal adsorption and sensing properties for gas.•Analysis of state density and band structure elucidated the sensing mechanism and further proved the applicability of modified substrate to dissolved gas in oil.