Water dissociation and selective absorption in the Zr[V0.5Fe0.5](2) gettering alloy: An x-ray photoemission spectroscopy investigation

We report a study, based on x-ray photoemission spectroscopy, on the effect s of element-specific selective absorption of the nonevaporable [Zr(V0.5Fe0 .5)(2)] gettering alloy after massive exposure to water vapor (3 x 10(3) Pa for approximate to 2000 h at 400 degrees C). The specimens have been analy zed both after scraping and along a prolonged Ar+ sputtering in order to co mparatively discriminate intergranular versus intragranular properties. Oxy gen is found to diffuse into the bulk of the alloy grains giving a distribu tion of Zr oxides where ZrO2 is the major component. After removal of the o utermost atomic layers, Fe and V show a major metallic character in the all oy volume. Traces of Zr hydroxides are also seen. The virgin (nonwater trea ted) [Zr(V0.5Fe0.5)(2)] alloy has also been comparatively measured. (C) 199 9 American Vacuum Society. [S0734-2101(99)05402-0].