Hydrogen detection in ruthenium oxide layers by means of the 1H(15N,αγ)12C nuclear reaction

Abstract

Hydrogen in RuO_x layers on quartz prepared by the thermal decomposition of RuCl₃ has been detected by means of a nuclear technique. RuO_x absorbs water rapidly from the liquid and a constant H/Ru ratio is found throughout the thickness of the layer. RuO_x also absorbs water from the ambient moisture, but no saturation is observed even after several months. The permeability of RuO_x to water is explained in terms of grain boundary diffusion.