Scanning Kelvin Probe as a highly sensitive tool for detecting hydrogen permeation with high local resolution

Hydrogen uptake by metals is of high interest for many applications. Hydrogen storage may be a crucial factor for shaping the energy management of the future, but hydrogen absorption in some metallic materials, such as high strength steels, may also cause so called hydrogen induced embrittlement, which constitutes a serious operational safety problem in technical applications. Hence, hydrogen uptake into and permeation through metals is an important field of research. However, what is missing is a ready to use technique with high lateral resolution. Here a novel approach will be presented, based on a potentiometric hydrogen detection at high lateral resolution.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Potentiometric measurement of hydrogen permeation by Kelvin Probe techniques. ► High sensitivity of well below 1 μA/cm2. ► High spatial resolution of least down to 30 nm.