ELECTRODEPOSITION SYNTHESIS AND HYDROGEN ABSORPTION PROPERTIES OF NANOSTRUCTURED PALLADIUM-IRON ALLOYS

Nanostructured pure Pd and Pd-Fe alloys were created by pulsed electro deposition. increasing iron content resulted in grain size refinement. Nanostructured Pd and 7 at% Fe in Pd experienced grain growth startin g at 200 degrees C. In contrast, a 20 at.% Fe in Pd alloy was stable a gainst grain growth to above 300 degrees C, and 30 and 40 at.% Fe in P d nanoalloys were stable against grain growth to above 400 degrees C. The Pd-Fe nanoalloys did not experience the alpha-->beta phase transit ion when exposed to hydrogen and had fast hydrogen absorption kinetics at room temperature with no activation being necessary. (C) 1997 Acta Metallurgica Inc.