SIMS and AES measurements on the LaNi5-hydrogen system

Summary SIMS (Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry) and AES (Auger Electron Spectroscopy) investigations were carried out on polycrystalline LaNi₅ samples and on LaNi₅ samples, which have been loaded with hydrogen electrochemically. AES measurements show an enrichment of obviously oxidized La at the surface, while in the SIMS spectra the emission of negative ions attracts special attention. In contrast to the V-H- and Nb-H-system negative Me_xH_y-ions turned out to be the most sensitive species for hydrogen detection in SIMS experiments on LaNi₅. The emission of negative ions of type Ni_x and Ni_yH_x, which are not observed on pure Ni are due to the electropositive character of La in this special matrix and the presence of hydrogen. The results point to a higher affinity of hydrogen to Ni than to La.