Hydrogenation and deuterization of EuBa2Cu3O7-d high temperature superconductors

57Fe and 151Eu Moessbauer spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry were used to study the hydrogen or deuterium uptake and to obtain information about the localization of hydrogen or deuterium in EuBa2(Cu(57Fe))3O7-d high Tc superconductors hydrogenated or deuterized either by gas loading or by electrochemical polarization. We have found significant changes in the Moessbauer spectra of superconductor samples due to hydrogenation and deuterization. The following conclusion can be drawn from the results. The hydrogen and deuterium is localized mainly around the Cu(1) site in these high temperature superconductors hydrogenated or deuterized by gas loading at room temperature. No differences can be detected between the localization of hydrogen and deuterium. The electrolytic hydrogenation or deuterization of these superconductors is accompanied by partial decomposition of the material. In this case hydrogen and deuterium tend to be localized around the Cu(2) sites. (orig.)