Variation of activation energy of hydrogen absorption of vanadium as a function of aluminum

Abstract

Hydrogen absorption kinetics of vanadium–aluminum alloys in the temperature range of 624–924 K have been studied. These alloys were prepared by the aluminothermy process and refined by electron beam melting. The data of instantaneous reacted fractions at four different temperatures were obtained using the pressure drop method and these data were linearly fitted to a suitable reaction mechanism function. Three-dimensional diffusion appears to be the intrinsic rate limiting step of the hydrogen absorption. The rate constants were obtained from the slope of the linearly fitted curves. Apparent activation energies were calculated using the Arrhenius equation. The activation energies were increased linearly with aluminum content resulting in a decrease in the hydrogen absorption rate. The variation in standard entropies and enthalpies of vanadium–hydrogen solid solution has been studied as a function of aluminum content.