CO-DEPOSITION OF PALLADIUM WITH HYDROGEN ISOTOPES

Abstract

Palladium was co-deposited with hydrogen isotopes on a Pd cathode. This resulted in enhanced production of excess thermal power. After electrolysis the Pd Lβ / Lαratio was found to be increased in characteristic x-ray spectra from localized, microscopic areas on the surface of the Pd cathode. This suggests the possibility that appreciable amounts of silver are present in these areas. INTRODUCTION. In an experiment using a cell with one Pd and one Pt electrode in H2SO4-D2O electrolyte, the polarity was switched by mistake, so that the Pd became the anode and the Pt became the cathode . During the next four hours and many subsequent experiments, this cell produced excess thermal power compared with a control cell. Pd dissolves from the Pd anode and co-deposits with hydrogen isotopes on the Pt cathode. Co-deposition of Pd with hydrogen isotopes has been studied extensively by Szpak and Mosier-Boss . In this report we describe the results of co-deposition of Pd with hydrogen isotopes on a Pd cathode. EXPERIMENTAL METHODS AND RESULTS. Closed cells were constructed using 200 ml Berzelius beakers (Pyrex, without pouring spouts), Teflon lids fitted to each beaker, perforated Teflon baskets filled with recombination catalyst and suspended above the electrolyte, and thin foil electrodes connected to platinum wires which were threaded through the Teflon tops, Fig. 1. A control cell and an experimental cell were identical except that the control cell contained two Pt foil electrodes and H2O-H2SO4 electrolyte, whereas the experimental cell contained a Pt anode and a Pd cathode, and D2O-H2SO4 electrolyte. The recombination catalyst was 0.5% Pd on coconut charcoal. The experimental cell electrolyte consisted of H2SO4 and D2O in the ratio 1:6.7. The average temperature of each cell was determined with the aid of a data acquisition system which monitored three thin foil, type K thermocouples attached to the outside of each cell. One thermocouple was attached to the bottom of each cell, and one was attached opposite each electrode. The output of the thermocouples was monitored with an automated data acquisition system. The power supply was operated in the constant current mode, and the cells were connected in series. The cells were held in recesses cut into a Styrofoam base. Cell voltages were monitored with a strip chart recorder. The ambient temperature was monitored with a thermocouple in the space between the cells. Each cell was weighed before and after each experiment to determine the extent of energy losses due to incomplete recombination.