Melt-spun (Ni0.6Nb0.4)100-xZrx (x = 0 to 40at%) and other amorphous alloy membranes were prepared, and the permeation of H was studied. The interatomic spacing of the Ni-Nb-Zr amorphous structure increased with increasing Zr content, while the crystallization temperature decreased. The H flow increased with increasing temperature and with increasing difference in the square-roots of the H pressures across the membrane, Δ√p. At temperatures of up to 673K, or pressure differences of up to 550Pa1/2, the H flow was more strictly proportional to Δ√p. This indicated that the diffusion of H through the membrane was a rate-controlling factor for H permeation. The permeability of the amorphous alloys was strongly dependent upon alloy composition, and increased with increasing Zr content. It was found difficult to investigate the H permeability of the (Ni0.6Nb0.4)60Zr40 amorphous alloy, due to embrittlement during measurements. The maximum H permeability was 1.3 x 10-8mol/msPa1/2 at 673K for (Ni0.6Nb0.4)70Zr30. It was noted that the H permeability of (Ni0.6Nb0.4)70Zr30 was higher than that of pure Pd.

Hydrogen Permeation Characteristics of Melt-Spun Ni-Nb-Zr Amorphous Alloy Membranes. S.Yamaura, Y.Shimpo, H.Okouchi, M.Nishida, O.Kajita, H.Kimura, A.Inoue: Materials Transactions, 2003, 44[9], 1885-90