High Resolution Electron Microscopy of Grain Boundaries in Nanophase Palladium

Abstract

AbstractUsing high resolution electron microscopy, consolidated nanophase palladium samples were examined following electrolytic thinning after a hydriding - dehydriding cycle at 310 K. Due to the small size and random orientations of the individual grains, a large number of grain boundaries were available for examination. Some of these yielded adequate imaging conditions to allow observation of the lattice structure in the grain boundary regions. Image simulations were performed to determine the sensitivity of the technique to lattice disorder. The results of these studies suggest that grain boundary structures in nanophase palladium are similar to those in conventional coarse-grained polycrystals.