X-ray absorption study of local structure in nanophase palladium

We present an X-ray absorption study of local order in nanophase Pd deposited by inert gas evaporation. Samples were subjected to various pressure and temperature treatments and were carefully characterized by X-ray diffraction. We find that there is a reduction in the average coordination numbers in the first few coordination shells; this reduction can be reproduced by considering the surface to bulk ratio and the distribution of dimensions of the nanometer-sized particles.