New Possibilities for Understanding Complex Metal Hydrides via Synchrotron X-ray and Neutron Scattering Studies

Tabbetha A. Dobbins
Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, Rowan University

Nov. 9, 2017 at 3:30 p.m. in Rm. 109 Nicholson Hall.  Hosted by Juana Moreno

This research seeks to understand the role that catalysts and nanostructuring play in structure and dynamics in hydrides. The talk will include results of X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), Ultra small-angle X-ray scattering (USAXS) and Quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS) studies. XAS is used to examine the chemical interaction of catalysts (TiCl3) with the host hydride powder (NaAlH4). USAXS is used to examine the morphological changes in the hydrides both with and without catalysts. Finally, QENS provides information on hydrogen dynamics as a result of catalyst addition and also due to nanostructuring. Our research uses several specialized synchrotron X-ray and neutron techniques to elucidate the interactions of catalysts with the host hydride structures. This presentation will describe those techniques and their use in describing the physical and chemical processes occurring in the materials.