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Title: ToF-SIMS in material research: A view from nanoscale hydrogen detection

Journal Article · · Materials Today

Hydrogen in materials has attracted tremendous interest as its incorporation leads to significant alterations in nanoscale structure, composition, and chemistry, impacting functional properties. It has also been integral to nuclear fusion reactors and is considered a future clean energy source. However, nanoscale characterization and manipulation of hydrogen in materials are challenging as only a selected few analytical techniques can readily detect hydrogen, among which time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) is a unique and powerful one due to its excellent detection limit along with decent depth and lateral resolutions. Here, in this review, we discuss, using selected examples, how to detect and quantify hydrogen in materials by ToF-SIMS and its impact on revealing the hydrogenation/protonation-induced novel functional states in different classes of materials. In addition, we present our protocols on sample preparation and experimental conditions optimization, allowing us to achieve the best possible results. Finally, we highlight future research directions that can lead to the discovery of novel functional states and ultimately provide a deeper understanding of scientific questions in materials science.

Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Office of Defense Programs (DP); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
2441224
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA--190438
Journal Information:
Materials Today, Journal Name: Materials Today Vol. 75; ISSN 1369-7021
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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  • Ryu, Joo Hyun; Kim, Sung Kyu; Lee, Chong Soo
  • Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, Vol. 469, Issue 2149 https://doi.org/10.1098/rspa.2012.0458
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