Development of an area-selective technique for electrochemical hydrogen detection with laser local activation

Abstract

An area-selective technique for electrochemical hydrogen detection with laser local activation (focused pulse YAG laser irradiation) has been newly developed. The developed technique was applied to measure hydrogen permeation behavior of iron at selected areas of various grain structures. The hydrogen permeation current was detected after the laser irradiation, suggesting that indirect activations of hydrogen generation and entry reactions were produced by the focused pulse YAG laser irradiation, which activated dissolution of metals at the irradiated areas. An obtained hydrogen diffusion coefficient, DH, was in good agreement with previously reported DH of iron, while a clear dependence of DH on grain structure at the entry side was not found.