Oxidation mechanism of porous Zr 2 Fe used as a hydrogen getter

Intermetallic alloys as hydrogen getters

“…Though resistant to corrosion, Zr2Fe might be oxidized, especially during the activation process, to form a passivation layer that would slow down the kinetics of the sorption reaction. Cohen et al [52] investigated the oxidation process, using a crushed St-198® material in the temperature range 320-500 °C with a argon gas flow containing various oxygen contents (0.1%, 0.7%, and 8%). From X-ray and calorimetric measurements, they established that the oxidation process induces first the formation of zirconium oxide (ZrO2) and pure iron (Fe), followed by the full oxidation of the material, forming Fe2O3.…”