| Abstract Scope |
Efficient separation and recovery of hydrogen isotopes in fusion reactor exhaust is a key challenge for achieving sustainable fusion energy. Vanadium (V) membranes have emerged as a promising candidate for waste gas separation by hydrogen permeation due to their ultra-permeability, high mechanical strength, and excellent hydride phase stability. However, under realistic reactor conditions, the performance of V membranes is strongly affected by surface oxidation.<BR> A major knowledge gap incurrent research on super-permeable membranes is the lack of quantitative understanding regarding how oxide layer morphology influences hydrogen migration behavior. In high-temperature, low-oxygen-pressure plasma environments, surface oxides on V can inhibit hydrogen recombination at the upstream surface, while simultaneously reducing hydrogen permeability. To answer these questions, we will leverage an in-situ plasma–material interaction platform, IGNIS-2, combined with surface-sensitive characterization techniques including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In-situ TEM and XPS will be used to analyze the kinetics and structural evolution of oxide layers, while IGNIS 2 platform will be employed for quantitatively investigating hydrogen retention and surface chemical and microstructural evolution. The goal is to establish a mechanistic correlation between oxidation state and hydrogen diffusion retention, thereby addressing critical issues in hydrogen isotope separation for fusion reactor fuel cycles. In this presentation, we will introduce our recent findings on the oxidation behavior of V membranes under simulated fusion reactor exhaust gas conditions. |