Hydrogen and energy materials

Hydrogen cannot only be stored in gas or liquid form but also in solid materials because many metals can actually absorb hydrogen and form so-called metal hydrides. We study these materials, often using nanometre thin films as model systems. A specific focus of our research lies on metallic glasses, metals that do not have a crystalline structure, which have the potential to lead to the development of new materials with higher hydrogen-storage capacity.

Another field in which hydrogen plays an important role is fusion research. In future fusion reactors, the heavy hydrogen isotopes deuterium and tritium will create a plasma ten times hotter than the temperature in the sun’s core. The wall materials facing this plasma are bombarded and modified by plasma particles but at the same time need to retain stability. We study how hydrogen isotopes interact with candidate materials for these walls such as steel, tungsten and boron using mainly ion-beam based methods.

Common to many of our research topics is that hydrogen can modify materials properties, such as magnetic, electric, optical or mechanical. We are interested in first understanding any changes caused by hydrogen addition and in a second step use this ability to produce samples with very specific properties. An example of this are rare-earth metals that can be made photochromic by adding just the right amounts of oxygen and hydrogen. Photochromic means that these materials change their optical properties, for example how transparent they are, when exposed to light. This behaviour can be used in smart windows or sensors.

We are also part of the interdisciplinary group developing the new experimental platform LigHt which will bring together several instruments and methods. The platform will be capable of extensive sample preparation and characterisation with a focus on light elements, primarily hydrogen and lithium, for energy applications.

Selected publications