Controlled Electrolyte Environments and Their Use for Studying and Modifying Materials Properties: Potentials for Employment in Practical Devices

Molten salt electrolytes containing hydride ions, and with very low oxygen and water activities can produce hydrogen-transparent metal surfaces (e.g. Pd, LaNi sub 5 and TiNi), as the H-blocking surface metal oxides are thermodynamically unstable and are removed. Their potential use in novel high conductivity solid electrolyte-like configurations for practical applications such as elevated temperature H sensors, and for a variety of other purposes is discussed. 16 ref.--AA