Realisation and application of in-situ TEM of hydrogen storage materials at 1-10 bar hydrogen pressure and 200°C

There are serious disadvantages associated with the petroleum based transport system, such as petroleum shortage and global warming. Using hydrogen as an energy carrier instead of petroleum  is the most promising solution, whereby the main bottleneck is hydrogen storage  (in vehicles) .
Metal hydride materials are amongst the most effective storage materials with hydrogen contents. Dopant materials such as titanium have led to spectacular low temperatures for hydrogen (un)loading, but the underlying mechanisms are still not understood. T
herefore the nanostructure of the different material phases will be studies using a transmission electron microscope under real industrial conditions, in contrast with the currently used high vacuum conditions.
We will investigate the materials phases during the transformation, with a hydrogen environment at high pressures (1-10 bar) and at different temperatures. These demanding experiments are made possible by the design and construction of nanoreactors inside the microscope.
 

Project leaders
 

• Prof. dr. H.W. Zandbergen, Delft University of Technology
• Dr. ir. J.F. Creemer, Delft University of Technology 
• Prof. dr. J.J.C. Geerlings, Shell 
• Dr. P.J. Kooyman, Delft University of Technology