Hydrogen storage properties of multi-principal-component CoFeMnTixVyZrz alloys

This study presents an innovative multi-principal-element CoFeMnTiVZr alloy system for the absorption and desorption of hydrogen. Pressure-composition-isotherms (PCIs) demonstrate that CoFeMnTixVZr, CoFeMnTiVyZr, and CoFeMnTiVZrz can absorb and desorb hydrogen for x, y, and z that satisfy 0.5 ≤ x ≤ 2.5, 0.4 ≤ y ≤ 3.0, and 0.4 ≤ z ≤ 3.0, respectively. X-ray diffraction (XRD) reveals that CoFeMnTixVyZrz alloys have a simple C14 Laves phase with a single set of lattice parameters before and after PCI tests. The distributions of each element in CoFeMnTixVyZrz alloys are roughly equal, as revealed by SEM/EDS mapping. The effects of values x, y, and z on the hydrogen storage properties are elucidated in terms of lattice constant, element segregation, hydride formation enthalpies of the alloy components and hydrogen, and the averaged formation enthalpy. The high-entropy effect promotes the formation of a single C14 Laves phase, and the maximum hydrogen storage capacity is strongly related to the hydride formation enthalpy of the alloy and hydrogen.