Laser ablation of a bulk Pd target in DIW, acetone or ethanol was carried out for the production of nanoparticles colloidal solutions. The size distribution of the nanoparticles follows log-normal function for all three liquids, with a median diameter of 3, 1.1 and 1.5 nm and standard deviation of 0.65, 1 and 1, respectively. Amorphous carbon is found on the nanoparticles synthesized in the hydrocarbons (acetone or ethanol). In DIW pure Pd nanoparticles were generated while ablation in acetone or ethanol lead to the synthesis of palladium hydride (PdHx) nanoparticles. These nanoparticles can be used in hydrogen storage applications. (c) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.