Comparative study of deuterium desorption from Pd-coated Zr-based amorphous and quasicrystalline alloys

Deuterium absorption in and desorption from Pd-coated amorphous and partially quasicrystalline Zr69.5Cu12Ni11Al7.5 alloys were studied, using LECO, thermal desorption spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Desorption was affected by different trapping sites and phase transformations, and began earlier from the amorphous material. Palladium coating significantly enhanced the absorption/desorption behavior. Suitable heating rates for recovery were identified.