A recent study by Prof. Emilio Martinez-Pañeda and Dr. Alfredo, researchers at the University of Oxford, leverages Hiden Analytical’s TDSLab series to advance hydrogen diffusivity research through isothermal desorption spectroscopy (ITDS). Unlike traditional electrochemical permeation (EP), ITDS measures hydrogen desorption in an ultra-high vacuum (UHV) environment, providing a cleaner, more precise analysis of hydrogen diffusion without interference from electrochemical surface effects. This makes it especially effective for fast-diffusing materials, like pure iron, where EP often struggles with boundary-condition variability.
The TDSLab system from Hiden has been instrumental in overcoming typical challenges associated with UHV, such as maintaining high stability and reducing external contamination. Its fast pumping and exceptional sensitivity allow for hydrogen detection at ultra-low concentrations, achieving accurate measurements even in thin samples and across a wide temperature range. This advanced setup enables consistent, high-temperature measurements, unlocking deeper insights into temperature-dependent hydrogen diffusion—something that’s challenging to achieve with EP.
Prof. Martinez-Pañeda, an Associate Professor known for his work on environmentally assisted cracking, and Dr. Alfredo, a postdoctoral researcher in hydrogen embrittlement, utilized the TDSLab’s capabilities to achieve groundbreaking consistency and accuracy in hydrogen diffusivity measurements.
For more details on how Hiden’s TDSLab series is transforming hydrogen-metal interaction research, check out the full article here.
