Formation of superabundant vacancies in nano-Pd-H generated by high-pressure torsion

Samples of partially hydrogenated palladium were heavily deformed at low homologous temperatures by means of high-pressure torsion and subsequently investigated by differential scanning calorimetry along with scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The results provide for the first time clear evidence for the formation of vacancy-hydrogen complexes from deformation-induced vacancies and for enhanced thermal stability of the nanostructure achieved under such conditions. (C) 2009 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.