The High Temperature Specific Heat of Palladium

The form of part of the electronic density of states curve for palladium is deduced from the low temperature specific heat coefficients γ of palladium-silver and palladium-rhodium alloys by means of the rigid band model of alloying. The curve, which shows a sharp maximum near the Fermi limit, is used to calculate the electronic contribution to the specific heat of palladium over the temperature range 0 °K to 1500 °K. Values of the electronic contribution in palladium are also deduced from the measured specific heat, and are shown to be in good agreement with the calculated values and to differ widely from the approximation Ce = γT. It is also suggested that the experimental specific heat results for palladium alone, without using the alloy data, indicate the occurrence of a maximum in the density of states curve near the Fermi limit.