Scope and Motivation

Hydrogen storage and hydrogen isotope separation (H₂/D₂/T₂) are increasingly converging into a single materials-physics challenge: controlling adsorption thermodynamics/kinetics, quantum effects (quantum sieving), framework/solid-state dynamics, and transport under practically relevant operating conditions. Recent progress in porous materials, metal hydrides and related solids, membranes, and in situ characterization now enables unprecedented mechanistic insight and performance optimization. This Special Issue will provide a focused forum for cutting-edge experimental, theoretical, and computational work at the intersection of functional materials, advanced characterization, and application-relevant performance—core themes of Applied Physics A.

Topics of interest include (but are not limited to)

1. Porous materials for hydrogen storage and isotope separation
   • MOFs/COFs/zeolites/carbons; ultramicroporosity; open metal sites; functional groups
   • Quantum Sieving (KQS/CAQS), zero-point energy effects, isotope-selective binding
2. Framework and lattice dynamics
   • breathing/gating phenomena; isotopologue-induced structural changes; thermo-structural coupling
3. Metal hydrides and related solid-state storage materials
   • kinetics/thermodynamics; thermal management; cycling stability; system-level integration
4. Membranes and electrochemical/solid-state separation concepts
   • isotope-selective transport; mixed conductors; graphene/2D pathways
5. Advanced characterization and measurement science
   • in situ/operando diffraction (X-ray/neutron), spectroscopy, calorimetry, adsorption kinetics
   • reproducibility, standardized reporting, uncertainty quantification
6. Theory, computation, and data-driven design
   • DFT, GCMC/MD, quantum nuclear effects, multiscale transport modeling, screening