Investigation of atomic deuterium (hydrogen) emission from the surface of some transition metal deuterides (hydrides)

Deuterium desorption from the surface of decomposing palladium deuteride was studied while monitoring the atomic component of the desorbing gas by means of an adsorption method. A thin gold film was applied as an adsorbent active for D adsorption, but inert against interaction with D2. The deuterium deposit thereby collected on the Au surface was analysed by means of thermal desorption mass spectrometry (TDMS). The atomic component of deuterium arising by desorption from decomposing PdDy was clearly detected. The experimental results obtained for PdDy are compared with those observed during the decomposition of PdHx, as well as the decomposition of other hydrides including TiHz and VHu.