Hydrogen-induced phase transformations in Pd-8.3 at % Y alloy

X-ray diffraction analysis is used to study the effect of hydrogenation on the structural state of Pd-8.3 at % Y foil. The decomposition of the single-phase Pd-8.3 at % Y alloy into two phases that was found experimentally after its saturation with hydrogen and subsequent relaxation at room temperature for 840 h indicates a substantial increase in the coefficient of diffusion of yttrium in the alloy under study. Such an increase in the mobility of yttrium atoms is likely to be related to the high contents of hydrogen and vacancies introduced into the matrix of the alloy under study during the hydrogenation.