Adsorption properties of Ni cluster modified TiO₂ (1 0 1) towards SF₆ decomposition gases

Online detection of insulation defects the decomposition products of SF₆ plays a key role in ensuring the safe operation of the gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) equipment. The pristine TiO₂ (1 0 1) modified by Ni cluster (1–3 Ni atoms) is used as a new gas-sensing material to study its gas-sensing characteristics to the characteristic decomposition products of SF₆: SO₂, SOF₂, and SO₂F₂. Through density functional theory (DFT) calculation, we found that the modification of Ni clusters significantly improved the conductivity of pristine TiO₂ (1 0 1) and the gas sensitivity of SF₆ decomposition products. More importantly, the change of conductivity after gas adsorption lays a theoretical foundation for identifying the type and concentration of SF₆ characteristic decomposition products and further judging the type of defects in GIS.