Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 February 2011
A method is suggested for improving the switching characteristics of the metal-hydride mirror by enhancing hydrogen transport in the active film. Nano-pillars of palladium, which has a high diffusion coefficient for hydrogen, are introduced into the active layer and should serve as a “highway” for the rapid introduction of hydrogen. A palladium nano-pillar array is made by electrodeposition in the pores of a polycarbonate membrane. The membrane is dissolved and the active layer (an yttrium-magnesium alloy) is evaporated on the palladium nanostructures. Improved kinetics has not been shown conclusively and is still the subject of research.