Pd–Pt alloys: correlation between electronic structure and hydrogenation properties

Abstract Palladium and its alloys have been extensively studied because of their faculty to store reversibly hydrogen isotopes. Here, the substitution of palladium with platinum is investigated. Thermodynamical studies have shown an anomalous behaviour regarding to the classical models. This original behaviour is explained by the study of the electronic structure of the binary solid solutions. The drastic decrease of the hydrogen solubility in the Pd–Pt alloys is accounted for by the filling up of the palladium conduction band by the valence electrons of platinum. The anomalous decrease of the stability of the hydride is explained by the large broadening of the valence band due to the subst…

Correlation Between Structure and Hydriding Behaviours in Laves Phases: Zr(M x Cr1−x )2, M = Fe, Ni*

On the correlation between mechanical and TEM studies of the aging of palladium during tritium storage

Abstract Tritium has considerable technological applications in nuclear industry. Since it is a radioactive element, its storage is often considered in the form of tritides which ensure the required safety. However, the decay of tritium into 3 He alters the tritide properties during aging. With the aim of understanding the aging mechanisms of palladium tritide, a macroscale approach coupled with a microscopic study was performed on palladium aged up to eight months after tritium loading. The macroscale investigation based on the vibration of microcantilevers allowed the mechanical response of the material to be followed during its aging. The microscopic study was performed by Transmission E…