Size-dependent structural, optical and hydrogenation properties of Pr nanoparticle layers

Pr nanoparticle layers deposited by inert gas evaporation technique and capped by a Pd layer have been used to study the effect of nanoparticle size on the structural, optical and electrical properties of a light rare earth metal during hydrogenation. Observed improvements in optical and electrical contrasts, switching time and color neutrality in nanoparticle based switchable mirrors have been related to quantum confinement of carriers, enhanced surface area at smaller dimension, presence of stacking faults in Pr lattice and nanoparticulate topography of Pd overlayer. Effect of Pd overlayer thickness on the switching characteristics has also been investigated.