Ab initio studies of newly proposed zirconium based novel combinations of hydride perovskites ZrXH3 (X = Zn, Cd) as hydrogen storage applications

Abstract

Using the WIEN2k code, first-principles simulations of ZrXH3 (X = Zn, Cd) hydride perovskites are performed to determine their hydrogen storage properties. The purpose of this study is to investigate their structural, optoelectronic, hydrogen storage, mechanical and thermoelectric properties. The structural analysis demonstrates their stability through the heat of formation along with desorption temperature and shows that these compositions belong to the orthorhombic space group Cmcm (no.63). The band structure and density of states are estimated for electronic characteristics, indicating the metallic nature of both compositions. Analysis of elastic properties such as elastic constants, Pugh’s ratio, bulk modulus, Poisson’s ratio, and anisotropy factor are explored to determine the mechanical stability of these compositions and demonstrate their suitability as a transport medium in hydrogen storage systems even at higher pressure. To study the optical behavior of the perovskites under consideration for hydrogen storage applications, the dielectric parameters, dielectric constants, refractive index, optical conductivity, absorptivity, and energy loss function are studied. The present paper represents the initial theoretical effort toward future exploration of these materials for hydrogen storage applications.