Investigation of Phenomena Related to D2O Electrolysis at a Palladium Cathode

Abstract

Measurements have been carried out on the phenomena reported by Fleischmann and Pons to occur during the electrolysis of D2O solutions with a palladium cathode. The measurements include: (1) the determination of tritium concentrations in the cells (2) the determination of the D/Pd ratios by coulometry: (3) surface analysis of the Pd cathode; and (4) neutron radiation measurements. Enhancement of tritium in the D2O solution was found in two open- type glass cells as well as well as in four other cells with Ni anodes. The largest enhancement factor found was 50. The source of this enhancement remains unexplained. Surface analysis revealed a number of impurities on the Pd surface including Si, Pt (with Pt anodes) and Li. The latter was found to penetrate 200 rm into the Pd bulk. The neutron measurements were inconclusive.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 30, 1990
Accession Number
ADA236409

Entities

People

  • B. Cahan
  • D. Gervasio
  • E. Yeager
  • I. Bae
  • R. R. Adzic

Organizations

  • Case Western Reserve University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Auger Electron Spectroscopy
  • Auger Electrons
  • Cellular Structures
  • Chemistry
  • Electrochemical Cells
  • Electron Spectroscopy
  • Electrons
  • Energy
  • Mass Spectra
  • Mass Spectroscopy
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Nuclear Fusion
  • Spectra
  • Spectroscopy
  • Thermonuclear Reactions
  • Vacuum Chambers

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Electrochemical Engineering/ Fuel Cell Technologies
  • Nuclear and Radiation Engineering.