Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Vol.144, No.12, 4260-4265, 1997
Phenomenological Treatment of Hydrogen Transport in a Metal/Metal Hydride System .1. Steady-State Systems
Steady-state H-atom transport across a metal foil of uniform thickness is described using the phenomenological transport equation and the gradient of chemical potential deduced from the operative pressure-composition isotherm. The approach follows from that described by Wicke and Brodowsky(1) and leads directly to a description of the steady-state flux and the concentration profile of H-atoms across a metal/metal hydride foil of uniform thickness. As a demonstration we fabricate a simple chemical potential-composition isotherm which mimics the salient features of any of a number of experimentally observed isotherms, including (and especially) those describing two-phase systems, and which allows straightforward mathematical manipulation. We then show how the shape of the isotherm defines the steady-state flux of H-atoms across a metal/metal hydride foil of uniform thickness and defines the steady-state distribution of H-atoms across the foil, as well as the loading of H-atoms in the foil.
Keywords:ELECTROCHEMICAL METHODS;ALKALINE-SOLUTION;DIFFUSION;IMPROVEMENT;PERMEATION;SOLUBILITY;ELECTRODES;PALLADIUM;MEMBRANES;ALLOYS