Dan,
As the sponge is melted,I would post.
Lou,
Green color is due to chlorine source(NaOCl) which was overused.Even during reduction more NaOH was used then normal Stoichiometry requires due to presence of Chlorine in Palladate.
As regards the look of my sponge,this was oven dried without fully neutralizing the reduction supernatant (was in a hurry),so it dried in an ammoniacal enviroment.The end use of this sponge is destined for a Jeweler.
Lou I second your observation regarding the voluminous and fluffy appearance.