Palladium-Based Membranes for Hydrogen Separation, Production and Isotope Handling
This community develops metallic and composite membranes, primarily based on palladium and its alloys, to separate, purify, and store hydrogen, including specific isotopes for nuclear applications.
The work centers on the physical properties of palladium and palladium-alloy membranes, specifically their ability to allow hydrogen to pass through while blocking other gases. Recurring themes include the design of membrane reactors for steam reforming and catalytic processes, the study of hydrogen permeation and diffusion kinetics, and the separation of hydrogen isotopes. The research also covers the integration of these membranes into hollow fiber structures and the development of composite materials to enhance durability and flux. Applications range from producing high-purity hydrogen from natural gas and syngas to managing tritium and deuterium in fusion fuel cycles.
The community is most heavily concentrated in hydrogen research, accounting for 100% of the tracked papers for that element, and represents 3.4% of all palladium research. It also contributes to the research records for niobium, carbon, and vanadium, though at significantly lower shares.
The community comprises 10,294 papers, publishing most frequently in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, the Journal of Membrane Science, and the Journal of the Less Common Metals.
Recent work focuses on the nanoscale behavior of palladium nanoparticles, including hydrogen sorption capacities and the effects of plastic deformation and sulfur poisoning. Other current studies examine the dynamics of oxygen vacancies in oxides and the use of adsorption and membrane technologies for advanced hydrogen isotope separation.