Hydrogen-induced deformations of metals followed by in situ scanning tunneling microscopy, palladium electrolytic hydrogen charging and discharging in alkaline solution

In situ scanning tunneling microscopy measurements of Pd single-crystal dom ains during hydrogen charging/discharging cycles in 0.25 K KOH at 298 K all owed us to follow deformations produced by the Pd <----> beta(H-Pd) phase t ransition in real time. The stress produced by this transition leads to ela stic deformations involving reversible volume changes and plastic deformati ons resulting in one- or two-atom high slip lines and slip bands. These res ults demonstrate the capability of nanoscopies to investigate solid deforma tions on the nanometer scale in different environments, discriminate differ ent types of deformations, and distinguish possible additional steps that a re involved in the dynamics of solids.