Methods for enhanced electrolytic loading of hydrogen

A system for electrolytic loading of hydrogen into a cathode comprising:

• an electrochemical reaction vessel including a solvent;
• a cathode and an anode disposed within the electrochemical reaction vessel;
• an electrolytic current source connected to the cathode, wherein the electrolytic current source is programmed to apply an electrolytic current to the cathode, wherein a first voltage and second voltage applied to the cathode relative to the anode that load hydrogen onto the cathode are negative, and wherein the electrolytic current comprises:
• a DC component, wherein the DC component cycles between:
• the first voltage applied to the cathode for a first period of time;
• and
• the second voltage applied to the cathode for a second period time,
• wherein the first voltage is more negative than the second voltage, and
• wherein the second period of time is shorter than the first period of time, and
• an AC component that has one of a sine, square, and pulsed form, and
• wherein the peak sum of the voltages supplied by the DC component and AC component is higher than the dissociation voltage of the solvent, and
• wherein the DC component and the AC component are mixed such that the electrolytic current comprises a DC biased waveform having an AC waveform is superimposed onto a DC waveform;
• and
• an AC current sensor in communication with a frequency controller in operable communication with the electrolytic current source to adjust the AC component.