Prospects and problems of electrochemically induced cold nuclear fusion

• Published in: Electrochimica acta 1989-09, Vol.34 (9), p.1289-1313
• Main Authors: Schultze, J.W., König, U., Hochfeld, A., Van Calker, C., Kies, W.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0013-4686; 1873-3859
• DOI: 10.1016/0013-4686(89)85025-X

Experiments by Fleischmann, Pons and Jones stimulated the imagination of electrochemists. Now, concepts have to be discussed in detail. At first, the correlation between hot fusion muon catalyzed cold fusion and electrochemically and fracture induced cold fusion is explained. In Pd dueterons can be treated as delocalized bosons which are squeezed together in octahedral sites. The Coulomb barrier between the nuclei may be screened by the electron gas. Hence, deuteron tunneling may be enhanced. Experiments are discussed with respect to deuteron concentration and current-potential curves of relevant processes, i.e. deuteron or water discharge. In various experiments the surface state of the electrode is modified. Electrochemical calorimetry has to be carried out only for the limiting cases of complete electrolysis and recombination, respectively. Difficulties arise for stationary electrolysis. Radiochemical detection of fusion rates presumes careful elimination of background radiation, absorption phenomena (self and foreign), backscattering, etc. Experimental conditions to measure the tritium production, the γ-rays and neutrons are described. Three months after the first paper various interesting experiments have been presented. But there is no certain evidence and many doubts occurred. Independent of the estimated fusion rates, most results are near to the background level (neutron rates of 0.04 n/s) or to the experimental error (fusion heats corresponding to 10 13 s −1, similar to chemical reaction enthalpies). Experiments are complex for various reasons. To compare results of different authors, more experimental data have to be checked in detail. A distinction between a volume- or surface phenomenon is not yet possible. Neutron production at grain boundaries is discussed.