Researchers led by University of Tokyo have pioneered a new technique to detect hydrogen isotopes in nanofilms, a discovery that could revolutionize hydrogen storage, catalysis and green energy solutions.
In a significant scientific breakthrough, researchers led by the University of Tokyo have developed a novel method to pinpoint the location of hydrogen in titanium hydride nanofilms. This advancement could have profound implications for hydrogen storage, catalysis and other green technology applications.
Though hydrogen is the lightest and smallest atom, its ability to infiltrate other materials and alter their properties, including superconductivity and metal-insulator transitions, makes understanding its behavior critically important. The challenge has always been in detecting these tiny atoms accurately — traditional techniques like electron probes and X-rays lack the necessary sensitivity.
In a study recently published in Nature Communications, the research team demonstrated a new approach that combines nuclear reaction analysis (NRA) and ion channeling to generate detailed two-dimensional angular maps of hydrogen distribution within titanium hydride nanofilms.
“We took a close look at a TiH1.47 nanofilm,” lead author Takahiro Ozawa, a research associate at the University of Tokyo’s Institute of Industrial Science, said in a news release. “Understanding nanofilms is useful as many hydrogen-related applications involve surface and subsurface reactions. We were able to precisely locate both the hydrogen and deuterium atoms in the nanofilm.”
Their findings revealed that all deuterium atoms — an isotope of hydrogen with twice the mass — occupied tetrahedral positions within the titanium crystal lattice. Intriguingly, about 11% of the hydrogen atoms were found in octahedral sites. This distribution influenced lattice symmetry and stability, providing a pathway for tuning material properties by controlling hydrogen isotope ratios.
“Being able to differentiate between the two isotopes in the hydride revealed an opportunity for control,” added senior author Katsuyuki Fukutani, a professor at the Institute of Industrial Science. “This will clearly have important practical applications for producing particular hydrogen-induced phenomena.”
The enhanced understanding of titanium hydride nanofilms stands to make notable contributions to hydrogen storage technologies, solid electrolytes and heterogeneous catalysis, aligning with the global push for sustainable and safe green solutions.
This landmark study not only shines a light on the intricacies of hydrogen isotope behavior in nanofilms but also opens new avenues for advancements in a variety of scientific and industrial fields.