Development of a nanostructured Zr3Co intermetallic getter powder with enhanced pumping characteristics

Nanostructured Zr3Co intermetallic powders were produced by mechanical alloying (MA) of the elemental Zr and Co powders. The phase evolution, microstructural characteristics and formation mechanism of Zr3Co powders during mechanical alloying were studied by means of X-ray diffraction method, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that after an optimum mechanical alloying time and optimum heat treatment, nanostructured Zr3Co intermetallic powder was achieved. It was found that Zr3Co intermetallic compound is formed by the diffusion of Cobalt into Zirconium during mechanical alloying. In the second stage, after an optimum heat treatment, formation and growth of Zr3Co intermetallic compound are controlled by interdiffusion of Co and Zr. Moreover, our results indicated that the synthesized nanostructured Zr3Co intermetallic powders show enhanced pumping properties and gas sorption response in contrast to the bulk, thin film and commercial getters.