Elastic moduli and internal friction of nanocrystalline Pd and PdSi as a function of temperature

Resonant ultrasound spectroscopy was used to study the elastic constants and internal friction of two nanocrystalline palladium samples over the temperature range 3–300 K. The first material, nc-Pd, had a grain size of 80–100 nm and a density 93% of that of single-crystal bulk palladium. The second material, nc-PdSi containing 0.5 at.% Si, had a grain size of 15–22 nm and a density 97% of the single-crystal value. The bulk and shear moduli were significantly reduced in the nc-Pd material from that expected based on single-crystal data, the effect being greater for the bulk modulus. The moduli of nc-PdSi were reduced 4–5% from that based on crystalline Pd. As compared to previous reports of the elastic moduli of nanocrystalline palladium (grain size 5–15 nm) the present values for the larger-grained nc-Pd are comparable, but the present values for the smaller-grained nc-PdSi are considerably higher. An internal friction peak and a modulus defect were found in the nc-Pd material, but not in the nc-PdSi material. These effects are attributed to a relaxation process at the grain boundaries. The temperature dependence of the moduli is similar to that of crystalline palladium and is strongly influenced by electronic effects.