Specific heat, electrical resistance, and other properties of superconducting Pd-H alloys

Abstract

Specific heat and electrical resistance measurements have been carried out in the ∼1.2 to 4.2 K range for a series of Pd-H alloys having H/Pd atomic ratios in the ∼0.82 to 0.88 range. Superconductive transitions in the resistance were observed; the specific heat data exhibited broad, yet very pronounced peaks with characteristics that depended strongly upon hydrogen concentration. A fairly successful theoretical fitting of the specific heat data was carried out on the basis of the assumption that Pd-H alloys are simply inhomogeneous BCS superconductors. Data for the dependence of the superconducting transition temperature upon hydrogen concentration were derived from both the specific heat and electrical resistance measurements. An interesting scaling feature of the specific heat data is discussed. A search for a possible interrelationship between the superconductive properties and an exothermic process which occurs in Pd-H alloys yielded negative results. A marked suppression of superconductive effects was observed in Pd-H alloys based on one particular Pd ingot; this was probably due to Fe impurities.