This invention describes spherical nanoparticle hydrides and a method for making them. A method of producing spherical nanoparticle hydrides comprises obtaining an electrically conductive or semiconductive wire fabricated from a base material capable of forming a hydride; exposing the wire to a hydrogen-containing processing gas under pressure; vaporizing the wire by electrical discharge, to generate a vapor phase; and reacting with hydrogen and condensing the vapor phase, generating a plurality of spherical nanoparticle hydrides. A composition of spherical nanoparticles is also provided, wherein each of the nanoparticles contains a base material that is electrically conductive or semiconductive and capable of forming a hydride, and hydrogen that is chemically or physically bonded with the base material, wherein the nanoparticles are characterized by a number-average particle diameter from 1 nanometer to 1000 nanometers, and wherein the nanoparticles are characterized by an average hydrogen content from 10 atom % to 85 atom %.