Activation and Gas Sorption Properties of Nano-Size Titanium Powder Getters

Non-evaporable getters (NEGs) are characterized by two major properties i.e. the activation and gas sorption rate for specific gases. Most of the commercial getters are alloys composed of micron-size powders. There have been speculations on the advantage of using nanosize powders as getter material for the obvious increase in volume to surface area ratio and for effective reaction with gases on size reduced particles. In this study, titanium powders of about 80 nm were prepared by electrical wire explosion method and their gettering properties were measured in accordance to ASTM standard. The activation of nano-size titanium powders was completed at about 450oC and the sorption rate was over 4 times higher than those of the micron-size titanium powders.