Researchers have discovered why magnesium hydride failed as a hydrogen storage solution and identified a path forward, potentially revolutionizing hydrogen use in energy applications. The migration of hydrogen in a pure magnesium layer was studied with electron spectroscopy in the ultra-high vacuum chamber in Dübendorf. Credit: Empa / AB / IFJ PAN
Converting it into magnesium hydride, however, requires a suitably efficient catalyst, which has not yet been found. Visualization of the distribution of hydrogen in the magnesium crystal lattice: the magnesium and magnesium hydride regions are clearly separated. Magnesium atoms after ionization are highlighted in beige. Credit: IFJ PAN / ZŁ
Prof. Lodziana’s theoretical work complements experiments performed in the Swiss laboratory in Dübendorf. Here, the migration of atomic hydrogen in a layer of pure magnesium sputtered onto palladium was studied in an ultra-high vacuum chamber.