Data supporting a view of both molecular and atomic transport of H in quartz were presented. By studying isotopic equilibration, it was shown that virtually all of the molecules diffusing through a 1.5mm thick quartz membrane at 900C had undergone dissociation. The catalytic properties of Pt for the dissociation of H2 were used to increase the surface concentration of atomic H on a quartz membrane. It was found that the high surface concentration increased the total flux of H through the membrane. It was also found, by comparison with published data, that diatomic molecules probably diffused via 2 modes in quartz. It was suggested that these 2 modes were atomic and molecular.

Experimental Findings in Support of Atomic Transport of Hydrogen in Silica. E.Hörnlund, G.Hultquist: Journal of Applied Physics, 2003, 94[8], 4819-23