Abstract

The present study was focused on the synthesis of a zirconium-based alloyed nanopowder by the plasma arc discharge process. The chemical composition, phase structure, particle size and hydrogen sorption property of the synthesized powders under various synthesis conditions were analyzed using XRF, XRD, SEM, XPS and the ASTM-F798 method. The chemical composition of the synthesized Zr-V-Fe-based powders approached that of the raw material with an increasing hydrogen fraction in the powder synthesis atmosphere. The synthesized Zr_55V_29Fe_16 powder consist of a mixed phase structure of the Zr,;ZrH_2,;FeV;and;Zr(V_1-xFe_x)_2 phases. This powder has an average particle size of about 20 nm. The synthesized Zr_55V_29Fe_16 nanopowder showed getter characteristics, even though it had a lower hydrogen sorption speed than the Zr_57;V36;Fe_7 getter powder. However, the synthesized Zr nanopowder with an average particle size of 20 nm showed higher hydrogen sorption speed than the Zr_57;V36;Fe_7 getter powder.

• Keywords: Nanopowder;Zirconium;Getter;Gas sorption;Plasma arc discharge;