Small-angle neutron scattering investigation of deuteride (hydride) precipitation and decomposition in single-crystal Pd

Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements of deuteride formation and decomposition in single crystal Pd have been performed. The purpose of this work was to determine and compare the particle morphology during deuteride precipitation and reversion, with the overall goal of developing a model for the pressure hysteresis known to exist in the Pd-H system. Anisotropic Porod scattering at low Q was observed as the samples were driven well into the two-phase region from either solid solution (the α→α' transformation) or from 100% α' (the α'→α reversion). This scattering is attributed to the formation of large, presumably semi-coherent or completely incoherent, tens-of-microns thick plates on well-defined habit planes. The orientation and dispersion of these larger plates was different for deuteride formation and decomposition: a very coarse dispersion on the {110}_α habit plane developed during deuteride formation, while a much finer dispersion on the {100}_α' habit plane occurred during deuteride reversion from the 100% deuteride phase. The latter orientation is consistent with the system selecting the habit plane orthogonal to the softest host direction to minimize the elastic accommodation energy of the precipitates. We suspect the {110}_α' habit plane observed during deuteride formation is related to large over-pressure loading conditions. An isotropic SANS response from plates with thicknesses of 20 to 30 Å was also observed during deuteride formation and reversion. These plates are thought to act as (coherent) precursors to the large plate formation.