Hydrogen and deuterium atoms in amorphous ZrNi alloys

Abstract

The local environment of hydrogen and deuterium atoms dissolved in amorphous alloys with the composition ZrNi and Zr 2Ni was studied using neutron inelastic scattering and neutron diffraction techniques. The frequency distribution functions exhibit a broad peak at about 130 meV. Interatomic DNi and DZr correlations are observed in the radial distribution function curves at correlation lengths of 1.7 Å and 2.1 Å respectively for both alloy compositions. It is concluded that the majority of hydrogen and deuterium atoms in the amorphous alloys are trapped at holes in the tetrahedra which consist of three or four zirconium atoms. The maximum hydrogen content per metal atom can be explained by assuming a statistical configuration of the metal atoms.