LAUSR

Abstract Materials used in hydrogen isotopes separation are crucial in modern hydrogen energy field. In this article, a promising material nanoporous palladium was prepared and its relative properties were studied. Nanoporous palladium with pore scale of about 5 nm was fabricated by free dealloying corrosion. Its kinetic and PCT curves of hydrogen/deuterium adsorption at room temperature were tested using a Sievert-type volumetric apparatus. Microstructures were observed with Scanning Electron Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy. Crystalline structure was characterized with X-Ray Diffractometer before and after deuterium adsorption. Comparative experiments with spongy palladium that is commonly used in relative industry were also carried out. According to the results, nanoporous palladium shows faster hydrogen/deuterium adsorption rate than spongy palladium, which is due to its nanoporous structure that supplies a large amount of specific surface area. PCT curves of hydrogen/deuterium adsorption in nanoporous palladium among 298–338 K were tested and plateau pressures at different temperatures were obtained. Deuterium/hydrogen isotopes separation factors were calculated using plateau pressures above and were plotted with temperature. It's found that nanoporous palladium shows larger hydrogen isotope separation factors compared with spongy palladium at temperatures no higher than 323 K. These findings illustrate that nanoporous palladium would be an ideal material for hydrogen isotopes separation applications.