Why does platinum adsorb hydrogen

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SUMMARY

Platinum effectively adsorbs hydrogen due to its unique atomic structure and properties, despite being classified as an inert element. The interaction between hydrogen and platinum-group metals is attributed to hydrogen's small atomic size, allowing it to penetrate the metal lattice. While various theories exist regarding this phenomenon, a definitive understanding remains elusive. The discussion also touches on the implications of platinum catalysis in applications such as PEM fuel cells and cold fusion technologies.

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ajayguhan
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Why does platinum adsorbs hydrogen, when platinum being one of the inert element? Is there any law which states about the adsorbent and the adsorbent gas? Why do some elements like platinum absorbs while some elements doesn't adsorb gases!? Is there a way to predict that this element or compound will absorb this kind of substances upto this extent.
 
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It's a bulk material property similar to why some things dissolve in some substance and others don't.
But more like how a sponge soaks up water ...

There are lots of ideas about how Platinum-like metals do what they do, eg.
http://www.chemistryexplained.com/elements/L-P/Platinum.html
... but, basically, nobody much knows for sure last I looked.
 
I thought it was because hydrogen is very very small and likes to get in between everything, including atoms in the metal lattice.
 
Well yeah - but hydrogen is particularly fond of doing that sort of thing with platinum-group metals.
The question is "how come?"

... actually, it says "why?" but I don't like "why" questions.

Note:
OP also has a question about hydrogen cells (specifically electrodes and gas-pressure stuff).
Platinum catalysis is something of a bugbear in PEM fuel cells but also in Pons/Fleischman type "cold-fusion" so I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop.

As usual, the specifics of the answer will depend on the context.
 
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