Character of hydrogen interaction with copper chromite

Hydrogen bonding kinetics have been studied and water amounts produced in H₂ interaction with copper chromite CuCr₂O₄ determined. Two possible interaction mechanisms are suggested: (1) a mechanism involving solid phase oxygen accompanied by water formation; (2) direct redox copper displacement from chromite by hydrogen that requires no oxygen. Initially, when the reaction occurs mainly on the surface, up to 40% of hydrogen is converted according to the first mechanism. Then, the process mainly occurs in the bulk via the second mechanism. Hydrogen sorption by copper chromite proved to be reversible.