TEM observations on palladium samples aged up to 8 years under tritium

TL;DR

This study used TEM to analyze palladium samples aged up to 8 years under tritium, revealing nanometer-sized helium bubbles with high density, providing insights into long-term aging effects.

Contribution

First TEM analysis of long-term (up to 8 years) aging effects on tritium-exposed palladium, focusing on helium bubble evolution.

Findings

Nanometer-sized helium bubbles observed (2-3 nm).

Bubble density approximately 5x10^23 m^-3.

Long-term aging effects characterized for the first time.

Abstract

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) experiments were carried out on aged under tritium palladium powder samples. The experiments were devoted to the study of the evolution of 3He bubbles (size, density) appearing during aging. The study, using a new sample preparation, was focused for the first time on long aging time, up to 8 years. The TEM results indicated the presence of nanometer size bubbles (2 - 3 nm in diameter) with densities close to 5x10^23 m-3.