Electrochemically Induced Nuclear Fusion of Deuterium: The Existence of Negatively Charged Deuteride Ions

Coldfusion of deuterium by electrolysis of heavy water onto a palladium (or titanium) cathode has been reported. Contrary to the assumption of Fleischmann and Pons that electrochemically compressed D⁺ exists inside the palladium cathode, the observations of Jones et al. can be partially explained by the simultaneous presence of deuteride D⁻ and the highly mobile positive deuterium ion D⁺. The opposite charges reduce the intranuclear distance and enhance the tunneling fusion rate. Furthermore alloying of lithium with palladium can stabilize a negatively charged deuteride ion due to the salinelike character of lithium deuteride. The enormous pressure (or fugacity), achieved by the applied electrochemical potential (10³⁰ atm), is a virtual pressure that would have existed in equilibrium with palladium deuteride (PdD_x). It is speculated that nuclear fusion occurs at the surface, and the PdD_x serves as a reservoir for the supply of deuteride ions.