Catalysis, by amorphous carbon, of H2 attack on oxidized U–0.1 wt% Cr surfaces

Amorphous carbon, evaporated on a thin oxide layer covered U–0.1 wt% Cr sample, was proven to significantly catalyze H2 reaction with the metal. A hydride was formed preferentially on the carbon-covered surface, for vacuum pretreatment temperatures of 150 and 190 8C and hydrogen reactions of 150 and 90 8C, respectively. Dependence of the reaction rate on the thickness of the layer was observed