Hydrogen absorption-desorption properties of UZr sub 0 sub . sub 2 sub 9 alloy

Hydrogen absorption-desorption properties of UZr sub 0 sub . sub 2 sub 9 alloy are investigated in detail at hydrogen pressures up to 0.4 MPa and over the temperature range of 300 to 723 K. It absorbs hydrogen up to 2.3 H atoms per F.U. (formula unit) by only one-step reaction and hence each desorption isotherm has a single plateau over nearly the whole hydrogen composition range. The enthalpy and entropy changes of the dissociation reaction are of -78.9 kJ centre dot mol sup - sup 1 H sub 2 and 205.3 J centre dot(K centre dot mol H sub 2) sup - sup 1 , respectively. The alloy shows high durability against powdering upon hydrogenation and may have good heat conductivity. It is predicted that UZr sub 0 sub . sub 2 sub 9 alloy may be a suitable material for tritium treatment and storage