Delamination-supported growth of hydrides in Pd thin films studied by electrochemical hydrogenography

Hydride nucleation and growth is studied by electrochemical hydrogenography on Pd-thin films with modified adhesion between the film and the glass substrate. Modification was controlled by a Nb-adhesive. A clear influence of the adhesion on the hydride formation was found. The adhering films showed small hydrides far beyond the resolution limit of the method. Contrary to this, the weak-adhering films showed low nucleation densities and large separated hydrides extending in the mu m-range. The difference was attributed to enhanced hydride formation in quasi stress-free volumes and an easily propagating delamination front that supports hydride growth. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.