Nano-scaled TiO(OD)2: a time resolved 1H/2D isotope exchange study observed in situ with neutron scattering at 20 °C and 40 °C

Abstract

In situ neutron diffraction measurements of the nanocrystalline deuterated oxyhydroxide TiO(OD)₂ compound were performed as a function of time and temperature under NH₃ gas flow in order to study the hydrogen–deuterium exchange mechanism. Data were collected on the instrument D20 at the ILL (France) and the analysis of the kinetics was directly based on the contrast variation of the incoherent neutron cross section of hydrogen and deuterium. The time evolution of the hydrogenated phase fraction was described using the well-known Kolmogorov–Johnson–Mehl–Avrami (KJMA) expression. The H/D exchange reaction is complete within 140 s at 20 °C and within 120 s at 40 °C. The activation energy for the H/D exchange reaction is estimated to be 37 kJ mol⁻¹.