Pulsed Electrodeposition Synthesis and Hydrogen Absorption Properties of Nanostructured Palladium‐Iron Alloy Films

Abstract

Nanostructured pure Pd and Pd‐Fe alloy films for hydrogen separation and membrane reaction were created by pulsed electrodeposition. Short pulse durations, long times between pulses, and a plating temperature of 60°C were found to produce nanostructured crack‐free films. Films with Fe content greater than 20 atom % were stable against grain growth to 400°C, and all of the Pd‐Fe films synthesized did not experience the α→β phase transition. The Pd‐Fe nano‐alloys had very fast hydrogen absorption kinetics at room temperature, without the need for activation.