Surface Topography of a Palladium Cathode after Electrolysis in Heavy Water

Abstract

Electrolysis was performed with a palladium cathode and an electrolyte containing both hydrogen and deuterium ions. The cathode bends toward the anode during this process. Examination of both the concave and the convex surfaces with the scanning electron microscope, scanning tunneling microscope, and atomic force microscope shows unusual surface characteristics. Rimmed craters with faceted crystals inside and multitextured surfaces were observed on an electrolyzed palladium cathode but not on palladium that had not been electrolyzed.