Diffraction studies of materials for hydrogen storage

An effective and safe method for storage of hydrogen is one of the greatest technologically challenging barriers of widespread introduction of hydrogen in global energy systems. Hydrogen storage in solid materials is the only method that can fulfil international long term goals for the use of hydrogen in vehicles. At present no materials satisfy each of the following targets: high gravimetric and volumetric density, appropriate thermodynamics and good kinetics. However, during the last years a number of promising materials have been developed, and in particular lightweight complex hydrides based on aluminium, nitrogen and boron have the potential to meet the requirements. To reach these goals, research efforts using a combination of advanced modelling, synthesis methods and characterization tools are required. Nuclear methods and in particular neutron diffraction is the only method to determine complete crystal structures of hydrogen storage materials. (author)