Actinide(lanthanide)-noble metal alloy phases, preparation and properties

Abstract

Actinide (AThCm)-noble metal phases with platinum, palladium, rhodium, and iridium (B)- and lanthanide-noble metal phases with platinum and palladium have been prepared by reduction of corresponding oxides or fluorides in the presence of noble metals by extremely purified hydrogen. Alloy phases of composition AB 2, AB 3, and/or AB 5 have been identified, most of which crystallize in the Cu 2Mg, Cu 3Au, Ni 3Ti, Cd 3Mg, Ni 5U, and Pt 5Sm types of structure. The lattice constants of isostructural series show a trend which also is known for the radii of the actinide elements. Analytical data, self-irradiation effects, magnetic data, nuclear γ resonance spectra, and thermal behaviour of selected alloy phases as well as the preparation of alloy phases of some other transition and main group elements, e.g., Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta, MgBa, are reported.