The hydrogen permeation characteristics of alloy membranes based upon V-15at%Ni were investigated at 373 to 673K. It was found that palladium-coated V-15at%Ni alloy membranes exhibited good resistance to hydrogen embrittlement, with a hydrogen permeability which was larger than that of a palladium membrane. The V-Ni alloy membrane did not exhibit any cracks, even under an upstream hydrogen pressure of 0.2MPa, during permeation testing at 473K. This revealed a marked hydrogen trapping phenomenon below 473K. The hydrogen permeability of the membrane increased as a result of adding 0.05at% of titanium, zirconium or yttrium; nearly equal to the amount of oxygen in the alloy. However, the hydrogen-trapping phenomenon could not be eliminated by adding such de-oxidizers. The trapping phenomenon could be markedly improved by removing the deformed layer of the alloy membrane before plating with palladium.

Hydrogen Permeation Characteristics of Palladium-Plated V-Ni Alloy Membranes. M.Amano, M.Komaki, C.Nishimura: Journal of the Less Common Metals, 1991, 172–174[B], 727-31