Effects of La substitution on microstructure and hydrogen storage properties of Ti–Fe–Mn-based alloy prepared through melt spinning

Abstract

The as-spun Ti1–xLaxFe0.8Mn0.2 (x=0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.06, 0.09, molar fraction) alloys were prepared by melt spinning. The effects of La substitution for Ti on the microstructure, hydrogen storage kinetics and thermodynamics of TiFe-type Ti–Fe–Mn-based alloy were investigated. The as-spun alloys hold the TiFe single phase, which transforms to TiFeH0.06, TiFeH, and TiFeH2 hydrides after hydrogenation. La substitution promotes the formation of micro-defects (such as dislocations and grain boundaries) in the alloys, thus facilitating hydrogen diffusion. In addition, the hydrogen storage kinetics properties are improved after introducing La element. With the rise of La content, the hydrogen storage capacity decreases firstly and then increases, but the absolute value of hydriding enthalpy change (|ΔH|) increases firstly and then reduces. When x=0.01, the maximum value of |ΔH| is obtained to be (25.23±0.50) kJ/mol for hydriding, and the alloy has the maximum hydrogen absorption capacity of (1.80±0.04) wt.% under the conditions of 323 K and 3 MPa.