Anode Oxidation of Zr–Ni Intermetallics in an Alkali Electrolyte after Surface Treatment with Hydrogen Atoms under Cathode Polarization

Abstract

The influence of surface treatment of hydrogen sorbents (Zr–Ni intermetallics) with hydrogen atoms under cathode polarization on their oxidation in a 30% KOH solution is studied. It is shown that there is no passivation film on the surface near the stationary potential under anode polarization for ZrNi₅, which is not the case for Zr₂Ni and ZrNi. It is established that surface treatment with hydrogen atoms under cathode polarization leads to an increase in the rate of anodic oxidation in the Zr₂Ni → ZrNi → ZrNi₅ row.