Change in hydrogen absorption characteristic of SrCe0.95Yb0.05O3 − δ by electron beam modification

Changes in the hydrogen absorption property of orthorhombic perovskite-type oxide ceramics (SrCe0.95Yb0.05O3 − δ), irradiated up to dose of 7.6 and 15 MGy with1.8 MeV electron beams, have been investigated using optical absorption in the visible and infrared wavelengths, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and elastic recoil detection (ERD) technique. For the electron irradiation dose up to 7.6 MGy, the production of oxygen vacancies, conversion of Ce4+ to Ce3+ ions and segregation of SrO to the surface occurred. However, the hydrogen absorption property hardly changes by the radiation induced phenomena. For further irradiation up to 15 MGy, Sr and Ce hydroxides were formed on the topmost surface. In addition, the hydrogen content in near surface significantly depended on the humid atmosphere. The results are due to dissociation of water with the surface activated by radiation damage and show the improvement of the hydrogen absorption characteristic.