Atomic pair distribution function (PDF) analysis of Raney Pd and Rh fine particles

Abstract

Raney Pd and Rh fine particles were prepared from decagonal Al₇₅Pd₂₅ and Al₉Rh₂ with an Al₉Co₂-type structure, respectively, by leaching with NaOH aqueous solution. The atomic pair distribution functions (PDFs) for the Raney Pd and Rh fine particles indicate structural features similar to an fcc structure, suggesting atomic rearrangement toward the closest packing of constituents during the leaching process. Transmission electron micrographs indicate that Raney Pd and Rh are aggregates of fcc-structured nano-crystallites with a diameter of 5–6 nm.

Keywords:

• high-energy X-ray diffraction
• Raney alloy
• leaching

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to express their gratitude to Professor M. Nomura, Institute of Materials Structure Science, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, Tsukuba, Japan, for his help with measurements (Proposal 2010G034). This work was partly supported by Global COE Program “Materials Integration (International Center of Education and Research), Tohoku University,” MEXT, Japan.