Hydrogen-Induced Ostwald Ripening at Room Temperature in a Pd Nanocluster Film

M. Di Vece, D. Grandjean, M. J. Van Bael, C. P. Romero, X. Wang, S. Decoster, A. Vantomme, and P. Lievens

Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 236105 – Published 13 June 2008

Abstract

The structural and morphological changes occurring in an ensemble of vapor deposited palladium nanoclusters have been studied after several hydrogenation cycles with x-ray diffraction, extended x-ray-absorption fine structure spectroscopy, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, and STM. Initial hydrogenation increased the cluster size, a result that is attributed to hydrogen-induced Ostwald ripening. This phenomenon originates from the higher mobility of palladium atoms resulting from the low sublimation energy of the palladium hydride as compared to that of the palladium metal. The universality of this phenomenon makes it important for the application of future nanostructured hydrogen storage materials.

Received 23 December 2007

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.100.236105

Authors & Affiliations

M. Di Vece¹, D. Grandjean¹, M. J. Van Bael¹, C. P. Romero¹, X. Wang¹, S. Decoster², A. Vantomme², and P. Lievens¹

¹Laboratorium voor Vaste-Stoffysica en Magnetisme & INPAC–Institute for Nanoscale Physics and Chemistry, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
²Instituut voor Kern- en Stralingsfysica & INPAC–Institute for Nanoscale Physics and Chemistry, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium

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Issue

Vol. 100, Iss. 23 — 13 June 2008

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