Electronic density of states of amorphous ZrNiP and ZrNiPH alloys studied by UPS

Abstract

The electronic structure of amorphous ZrNiP and ZrNiPH alloys was studied by means of ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy. It was established that new states were induced around 5.7 eV binding energy by hydrogen and, at the same time, the density of states (DOS) at the Fermi level decreased. The Ni peaks below the Fermi level are shifted to higher binding energies upon hydrogenation whereas the position of the Zr peak remains unchanged but its intensity is reduced due to the presence of hydrogen. The decrease of the DOS at the Fermi level indicates that H atoms interact with Zr atoms only. On the other hand, the clear shift in the Ni d-states shows that the Ni states are affected by hydrogen via changes in the ZrNi bonding.