Novel materials for hydrogen storage studied by synchrotron X-ray diffraction

One major unsolved problem for the introduction of hydrogen into the global energy system is effective storage of hydrogen. This proposal addresses novel materials for hydrogen storage and in particular aluminium-, magnesium- and boron-based metal hydride s. Materials with hydrogen contents higher than 6 mass% H will be studied with synchrotron X-ray diffraction. High-resolution X-ray diffraction is important for structural studies of new compounds and also for studies of morphological properties and effec ts of catalysts. In-situ diffraction studies will be carried out in order to understand absorption/desorption processes, effect of catalysts and to determine thermodynamical properties of novel hydrides. Combination with other techniques, for example comb ined EXAFS/diffraction and Raman spectroscopy/diffraction will be performed. In addition the combination with neutron diffraction will also be important. The project will accommodate work for 1 PhD student who will stay about 9 months at ESRF, probably at SNBL, during the project period. The project will involve extensive national and international collaboration.