Atomic structure and hydrogen storage properties of amorphous–quasicrystalline Zr–Cu–Ni–Al melt-spun ribbons

A structural state of the Zr–Cu–Ni–Al melt-spun ribbons has been investigated by means of X-ray diffraction analysis. It was established that conditions of ribbon production have a very strong effect on their structural state. The Zr69.3Cu9.7Ni15.1Al5.9 ribbons produced at the surface wheel velocity of 44 m/s have an amorphous state at the contact side and mixed amorphous–quasicrystalline state at the free side. At the same time the Zr67.5Cu12.5Ni12Al8 ribbons are fully amorphous in case of producing velocity of 44 m/s and have only small features of quasicrystalline peaks on the amorphous halo on the free side in case of producing velocity of 30 m/s in contrast to an amorphous structure on the contact side. The uncoated by Pd amorphous and amorphous–quasicrystalline Zr–Cu–Ni–Al ribbons have a property of absorbing a large amount of hydrogen. Parameters of the amorphous state were calculated for the ribbons as-prepared and hydrogenated. The temperature coefficient of resistivity for all ribbons is negative in range of 20–380 °C, what as well as the high resistivity values is typical to the Zr–Cu–Ni–Al based systems in amorphous and quasicrystalline states.