Novel Technique Grows Single-Crystal Perovskite Hydrides for Conductivity Study

• Japanese researchers pioneer new method for growing single-crystal perovskite hydrides, unlocking potential for hydrogen storage and superconducting technologies.

Researchers from Japan's Shibaura Institute of Technology and National Institute for Materials Science have developed a new technique to grow single-crystal perovskite hydrides, allowing for accurate measurements of hydride conductivity. Perovskite hydrides, which contain hydrogen anions, are of interest for hydrogen storage technologies like fuel cells and batteries, as well as superconducting cables. The researchers used a laser deposition technique in an H-radical atmosphere to grow thin-film single crystals of two different perovskite hydrides and measure their hydride-ion conductivity.

The innovative approach involved shining an infrared laser onto a pellet containing metal atoms, releasing them into a hydrogen-rich atmosphere to form the desired perovskite on a substrate. The researchers characterized the resulting thin films using advanced techniques like X-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy, confirming the absence of grain boundaries and conducting the first measurements of intrinsic hydride-ion conductivity in these crystals. This breakthrough could lead to advancements in hydrogen materials science and contribute to sustainability efforts.

How did Japanese researchers grow single-crystal perovskite hydrides for conductivity measurements?

• Researchers from Japan's Shibaura Institute of Technology and National Institute for Materials Science used a laser deposition technique to grow single-crystal perovskite hydrides.
• The technique involved shining an infrared laser onto a pellet containing metal atoms in an H-radical atmosphere to form the perovskite on a substrate.
• The thin-film single crystals were characterized using advanced techniques like X-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy to confirm the absence of grain boundaries.
• This method allowed for accurate measurements of hydride-ion conductivity in the perovskite hydrides.
• The research could lead to advancements in hydrogen storage technologies like fuel cells and batteries, as well as superconducting cables.
• This breakthrough has the potential to contribute to sustainability efforts by improving hydrogen materials science.