Hydrides of intermetallic compounds with a H/M ratio greater than unity obtained at high hydrogen pressures

Novel hydride phases with H/M > 1 based on Zr₂Pd, Hf₂Pd, and Hf₂Cu (structures of the MoSi₂, type) have been synthesized at high H₂ pressures. The X-ray diffraction investigations of the resulting hydrides have been carried out. Some factors determining the maximum hydrogen content in the hydrides of intermetallic compounds are discussed. A model structure of the hydrides obtained is proposed, which assumes the possibility of direct H-H interactions when the interatomic distances are less than 1 Å.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 843–845, May, 1993.