Observation of the beta-delta phase transformation in deuterated iodide titanium films by electrical resistance measurements

The beta-delta phase transformation of titanium deuteride has been studied with the help of a newly developed experimental system by means of simultaneous recording of electrical resistance and volumetric measurements. The beta-delta phase boundaries can be well defined from the relationship between the sample electrical resistance and the deuterium pressure in a closed reactor. It has also been observed that there is a reduction of the sample electrical resistance on passing from the delta phase to the beta phase which is associated to a partial elimination of hydrogenation induced defects and also to a possible higher resistivity value of the hydride phase (delta) in comparison with that of the solute phase (beta).