Performance of Cu-coated vanadium cans for in situ neutron powder diffraction experiments on hydrogen storage materials

In situ neutron powder diffraction (NPD) measurements of hydrogenation processes taking place at high temperatures pose difficulties related to the choice of sample can material. This article describes a simple design for a copper-coated vanadium can and its connection to the gas-handling system, tested up to 523 K. High-quality NPD patterns of TiV_1.2Mn_0.8 body-centred cubic alloy, as-cast and partially hydrogenated, were collected at 373 K and deuterium pressures up to 2 bar (200 kPa).