Research activities of the Institute of Physics of Materials mainly target fundamental relations between the macroscopic properties of materials and their structural and microstructural characteristics. In the context of hydrogen technologies, the research focuses on hydrogen storage in metallic and non-metallic materials and the influence of hydrogen on the mechanical properties of structural and functional materials.
Materials for hydrogen storage by chemisorption or physisorption are mainly prepared at IPM CAS or in collaboration with other institutes. The kinetic and thermodynamic properties of hydrogen deposition are measured using Setaram PCT PRO instruments based on the so-called Sieverts method. These instruments can operate over a temperature range of 0˚C (-78°C) - 400°C and pressures of 1x10-4 - 20 MPa. The thermodynamic properties of the materials are also measured using the DSC/TGA method, and the desorbed gases are analyzed using a Pfeiffer QSD 350 ThermoStar mass detector.
In our laboratories, the hydrogen absorption/desorption rate and the subsequent amount of hydrogen in the material can be determined in structural and functional alloys. We strive to characterize and understand the impact of dissolved hydrogen on the mechanical properties. We have developed a methodology for hydrogen doping of metals and alloys both from the atmosphere during their heat treatment and electrochemically using a cathodic process. The methodology allows hydrogen doping of mechanical stress free as well as externally loaded materials. In addition to the above doping techniques, we also use a thermal desorption apparatus in the CLASSIC 4011T furnace set-up with a PFEIFFER PrismaPro QM 250 M1 mass spectrometer and a PFEIFFER EcoCube 80 vacuum station to analyze gases desorbed from samples at temperatures up to 1000°C. In collaboration with ESI Leoben, we monitor absorption/desorption processes in-situ by synchrotron diffraction experiments. Research results are published in prestigious scientific journals.
Institute of Physics of Materials CAS, v. v. i.
Žižkova 513/22
616 00 Brno
Czech Republic
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