Role of vacancies in the relaxation of Pd–5.3 at % In–0.5 at % Ru alloy foil after hydrogen desorption

Abstract

The Pd–5.3 at % In–0.5 at % Ru foil subjected to electrolytic hydrogenation and subsequent prolonged relaxation (for 55 000 h) has been studied by X-ray diffraction analysis. Diffraction reflections belonging to phases with different indium concentrations and palladium phases enriched in vacancies were found. Phase transformations observed in the absence of hydrogen occur mainly due to the vacancy migration; the vacancies formed during hydrogenation and remained in vacancy complexes and alloy matrix up to the moment of the study.