The H-D isotope exchange reaction on ZrMn2Hx

A newly developed hydrogen isotope exchange reactor was used to study the thermodynamics and kinetics of the H-D isotope exchange reaction of β-ZrMn2Hx. The data for calculating the total reaction rate (k+), the dissociation rate (kdiss), and the separation factor (α) are acquired simultaneously in one experiment. A comparison of the van't Hoff equation in (α) = -240 K / T + 0.477 with theoretical calculations indicates an anharmonicity of the local hydrogen modes. The activation cycles and the final activity seems to be insensitive to gaseous impurities in hydrogen (up to 10 vol% air at 300 K). (orig.)