Synthesis of single-phase YMn2D2 studied by in situ neutron diffraction

Hydrogen absorption at room temperature in YMn2 leads to a mixture of sever al phases with various hydrogen contents. A thermal treatment at 473 K allo ws single-phase YMn2Hx hydrides with 0 < x less than or equal to 3.5 to be obtained. The hydride synthesis has been studied in the case of single-phas e YMn2D2 by in situ thermal-dependent neutron diffraction experiments. The different steps for the formation of the single-phase deuteride are describ ed and discussed. (C) 2000 Academic Press.