HYDROGEN ABSORPTION AND STORAGE IN QUASI-CRYSTALLINE AND RELATED TI-ZR-NI ALLOYS

Detailed studies of the absorption and storage of hydrogen by icosahed ral quasicrystalline Ti-Zr-Ni are presented. Two different absorption methods, one at room temperature and another requiring elevated temper atures, successfully introduce hydrogen into Ti-Zr-Ni alloys. Absorpti on is accompanied by an expansion of the quasilattice, and results cor relating the rate of expansion to the hydrogen concentration are prese nted. The absorption rates suggest that a surface oxide layer acts as a barrier to hydrogen absorption and this is confirmed by surface dept h profiling studies made with scanning Auger spectroscopy. Desorption studies also indicate some hydrogen cycling ability for the quasicryst al. The hydrogen storage ability of the quasicrystal is compared to, a nd found to be better than, those of the related phases in this system .