Mixed metal films with switchable optical properties

作者：Thomas J. Richardson, Jonathan Slack, B. Farangis, M. Rubín · 发表于：Applied Physics Letters · 年份：2002 · DOI：10.1063/1.1454218 · 被引用次数：98 · 研究领域：Hydrogen Storage and Materials、Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction、Heusler alloys: electronic and magnetic properties

Thin, Pd-capped metallic films containing magnesium and first-row transition metals (Mn, Fe, Co) switch reversibly from their initial reflecting state to visually transparent states when exposed to gaseous hydrogen or following cathodic polarization in an alkaline electrolyte. Reversion to the reflecting state is achieved by exposure to air or by anodic polarization. The films were prepared by cosputtering from one magnesium target and one manganese, iron, or cobalt target. Both the dynamic optical switching range and the speed of the transition depend on the magnesium-transition metal ratio. Infrared spectra of films in the transparent, hydrided (deuterided) states support the presence of the intermetallic hydride phases Mg3MnH7, Mg2FeH6, and Mg2CoH5.