Formation of NaCl-type monodeuteride LaD by the disproportionation reaction of LaD2

Phys Rev Lett. 2012 May 18;108(20):205501. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.108.205501. Epub 2012 May 14.

Abstract

Previous x-ray diffraction measurements revealed the pressure-induced decomposition of an fcc LaH2.3 into H-rich and H-poor fcc phases around 11 GPa. The present neutron diffraction measurements on LaD2 confirm the formation of NaCl-type LaD as a counterpart of the D-rich LaD2+δ by disproportionation. First-principles enthalpy and lattice dynamic calculations demonstrate that the NaCl-type LaH is stabilized at high pressures and can be recovered at ambient conditions. Finding the NaCl-type LaH will pave the way for investigations on the site-dependent nature of hydrogen-metal interactions.