Catalysis, by amorphous carbon, of H2 attack on oxidized U-0.1 wt% Cr surfaces

Amorphous carbon, evaporated on a thin oxide layer covered U-0.1 wt% Cr sample, was proven to significantly catalyze H2 reaction with the metal. A hydride was formed preferentially on the carbon-covered surface, for vacuum pretreatment temperatures of 150 and 190 °C and hydrogen reactions of 150 and 90 °C, respectively. Dependence of the reaction rate on the thickness of the layer was observed.