Zr Addition Research Articles

Effects of Zr addtion on recrystallization behaviors and mechanical properties of FeCrAl alloys

The effects of Zr addition on the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of FeCrAl alloys were investigated. Fine Fe2Zr particles with their sizes ranging from 0.5 to 1.2 μm were observed when the alloying element Zr was introduced in FeCrAl alloy. The addition of Zr led to the formation of Fe2Zr particles either within the grains or on the grain boundaries, and this was found to enhance the strength of the FeCrAl alloys. Moreover, the Fe2Zr particles stabilized the microstructures by promoting recrystallization nucleation and retarding grain growth. The critical size of the Fe2Zr particles for stimulating recrystallization nucleation and the activation energy of grain boundary migration during recrystallization were determined. The effects of Fe2Zr particles on particle-stimulated nucleation behavior and recrystallization grain growth dynamics are discussed.

The Effect of Zr on the High‐Temperature Oxidation Resistance of 12Cr Ferritic/Martensitic Steels

The high‐temperature oxidation resistance of 12Cr ferritic/martensitic steels with Zr contents in the range of 0–1.3607 wt% is investigated at 650 and 800 °C in air. The results show that the oxidation resistance of steels is improved by adding Zr. The oxide layer on the surface of steels after oxidation is mainly composed of MnCr2O4 and Cr2O3, where traces of Mn2O3 and ZrO2 oxides can also be detected there. The oxide layer of steels consists of two layers, that is, the outer Mn‐rich oxides (MnCr2O4, Mn2O3) and the inner Cr‐rich oxides (Cr2O3). For none‐Zr steels oxidized at 650 °C, Cr2O3 oxides are also formed in the outer layer. The addition of Zr promotes the outer oxides to change from Cr2O3 oxides to MnCr2O4 oxides and reduces the growth rate of MnCr2O4 oxides. The effect of Zr on the high‐temperature oxidation resistance of steels can be attributed to its promoting effect on the formation of outer Mn‐rich oxides, which can refine the size of outer Mn‐rich oxides and form a dense outer oxide layer. The dense outer oxide layer can inhibit the inward diffusion of oxygen and improve the oxidation resistance of steel.

Microstructures and mechanical properties of Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy with the combined addition of Ti and Zr

The effects of combined Ti and Zr addition on microstructures and mechanical properties are systematically investigated in Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy by microstructure characterizations and a physical-based model. The results show that combined addition of Ti and Zr can promote the precipitation of nano L12 Al3(Ti,Zr) dispersoids, while primary D022 Al3Ti and Al3(Ti,Zr) phases are formed during solidification when Ti addition is over 0.2 wt%. As compared to the 0Ti alloy, the ductility and toughness is enhanced markedly by 0.1–0.2 wt%Ti addition since the volume fraction of nano L12 Al3(Ti,Zr) dispersoids is increased. Both the strength and ductility are significantly decreased when Ti addition is more than 0.35 wt%. The strain hardening behavior and fractured morphology analyses suggest that the deterioration of mechanical properties is mainly due to the localized recrystallization and cracks caused by coarse primary phases, which cause the higher dislocation dynamic recovery rate. Combined addition of minor Ti and Zr elements may provide a simple approach to improve toughness and simultaneously reduce cost in developing high-strength Al alloys.

Effect of Metal Dopant on the Performance of Ni@CeMeO2 Embedded Catalysts (Me = Gd, Sm and Zr) for Dry Reforming of Methane

Biogas upgrading by a catalytic process has been studied in order to obtain syngas using renewable source of methane. This work evaluates the influence of metal dopant (Gd, Sm, and Zr) on the CeO2 structure for the dry reforming of methane over Ni nanoparticle embedded catalysts. The doping with Zr improved the thermal stability of the catalyst, leading to the formation of small Ni nanoparticles, while Ni metal sintering was observed for Ni@CeO2, Ni@CeGdO2, and Ni@SmO2, according to in situ XRD under reduction conditions. The ceria reducibility was affected by the dopant nature, for which the addition of Zr caused distortions in the ceria lattice, promoting the diffusion of oxygen bulk to surface. The doping with Gd and Sm created oxygen vacancies by charge compensation, and the saturation of oxygen vacancies in the fresh samples decreased the degree of Ce reduction, according to TPR results. The larger Ni particles and poor redox behavior for Ni@CeGdO2 and Ni@CeSmO2 were responsible for the high carbon formation on these catalysts during the DRM reaction. The Ni@CeZrO2 catalyst did not present coke formation because of smaller Ni crystallite size and higher ceria reducibility. Therefore, the control of Ni particle size and the high oxygen mobility in the Ni@CeZrO2 catalyst inhibits carbon deposition and enhances the mechanism of carbon removal, promoting the catalyst stability.

Improved microstructure and mechanical properties of ODS-CoCrFeNiMn high entropy alloys by different Ti, Zr and Y2O3 addition

Four ODS-CoCrFeNiMn high entropy alloys (HEAs) with different Ti/Zr/Y2O3 addition were produced by powder metallurgy. The role of Ti, Zr, Y2O3 on improving microstructure and mechanical properties of ODS-CoCrFeNiMn HEAs was studied. The type of nanoscale oxides is effectively changed from Y2O3 (1Y alloy), Y2TiO5, YTiO3 and Y2Ti2O7 (1YT), Y4Zr3O12 and Y2Zr2O7 (1YZ) to YTiO3, Y2TiO5, Y2Ti2O7, Ti2O3 (1YTZ) by introducing different addition. The joint addition of Ti, Zr and Y2O3 in 1YTZ has the most significant refinement on grain size and increases number density of nanoscale oxides, which reach 130 nm and 2.01 × 1021/m3, respectively. The well refined grains and high density of nanoscale oxides in 1YTZ alloy lead to the highest hardness and compressive yield strength, which are 449 HV and 1309 MPa, respectively. The different formation mechanisms of nanoscale oxides due to different addition and its influence on mechanical properties in ODS-CoCrFeNiMn HEAs are disclosed. Data availability statementAll data included in this study are available upon request by contact with the corresponding author.

Comparing the role of Zr and Hf atoms on microstructure and mechanical properties optimization of Ti2AlN reinforced Ti48Al 0.5W composites

In order to further optimize the mechanical properties of TiAl composites, Ti2AlN/Ti48Al0.5W composites with 1 at% Zr/Hf addition were prepared by arc melting, which were termed as Base alloy, Zr-containing alloy and Hf-containing alloy. The grain size, element distribution, phase content and compressive properties were investigated and compared in this work. With 1 at% Zr/Hf addition, the lamellae colony size decreased from 33 µm to 25/23 µm, and Zr atoms almost dissolved into the single γ phase in the form of solid solution atoms, while Hf atoms distributed in both α2/γ lamellae and single γ phase, and part Hf atoms also existed in the form of B2 phase, which illustrated the higher solid solution of Zr atoms in TiAl composites comparing with Hf atoms. The γ phase content increased and the α2 phase content decreased, especially with 1 at% Zr addition, which acted as γ-phase stabilizing element. With 1 at% Hf addition, the compressive strength and strain increased from 2010 to 2221 MPa and from 23.9 % to 26.2 %, respectively, which was attribute to the solid solution strengthening of Hf atoms by substituting Ti atoms, refinement of α2/γ lamellae and increased γ phase content. Compared with 1 at% Hf addition, 1 at% Zr addition led to higher compressive strength and strain, which were 2344 MPa and 26.8 %, respectively, and this result was due to the higher concentration of Zr atoms in γ phase and higher content of γ phase. On account of density, cost and performance, Zr atoms are more suitable as an alloying element to further optimize the microstructure and mechanical properties of TiAl composites.

Effect of Aging Treatment on the Precipitation Behavior of a Novel Al-Cu-Zr Cast Alloy.

A novel Al-Cu-Zr alloy is designed in this paper, which provides a method for further improving the strength of Al-Cu alloys. In this paper, the addition of the micro-alloying element Zr in Al-Cu alloy was studied. The effect of aging treatment on the mechanical properties and precipitation behavior of the alloy was studied. With the addition of Zr, Al3Zr phases were formed in the alloy, which acts as obstacles to dislocation motion. In addition, Al3Zr phases can be used as the nucleation site of θ' phases to promote precipitation. All this can improve the strength of Al-Cu alloys. After one-step aging, corresponding to the highest hardness, the largest amount of θ' phases were observed in the alloy matrix. By contrast, after two-step aging, the θ' phases were finer, and a large amount of Guinier-Preston (GP) zones formed during the pre-aging step, which were transformed into denser and finer θ' phases in the secondary aging step. After the same solution treatment (540 °C/12 h), undergoing 120 °C/4 h + 175 °C/10 h two-step aging, the ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation of the Al-Cu-Zr alloy were 398.7 MPa, 313.3 MPa, and 7.9%, respectively.

True Stress-Strain Behavior of Al-based Cast Automotive Alloy Under Different Ageing Conditions and the Effect of Trace Zr

A thorough investigation has been carried out on the Al-12Si-1Mg-1Cu-1Ni automotive alloy considering different properties, specially mechanical properties associated with true stress and true strain with Zr addition of trace amount. A commercially available piston is melted to produce the alloy, and trace amount of Zr is added to make another. The base alloy along with the Zr added alloy had been applied to homogenization, solution treatment, quenching, and ageing in order to get the age-hardening response. The alloys have been heat-treated at 25 ºC, 200 ºC, and 300 ºC, respectively, for four hours for attaining the under, peak and over-aged states, respectively. During ageing, Al2Cu and Mg2Si phases are formed in the aluminium matrix leading to peak-aged strength, which is reduced at over-aged state because of coarsening of precipitation and recrystallizing, shown by the tensile and hardness properties. When Zr is added to the alloy, Al3Zr phases appear while casting and heat-treatment, resisting the drop of strength at over-aged state. It is visible in the stress-strain diagram that at over-aged conditions, the alloy with trace Zr shows improved strength and ductility. In the micrographs of Zr added alloy, finer distributed grains are visible through the grain refinement of Zr, which also prevents recrystallization at over-aged conditions. The homogeneity of the grains as a result of the Zr addition's microstructural change was further confirmed by fractography. It is clear that adding Zr to such alloys does not greatly increase their strength, but it does restrict the declining of strength by preventing the production of thermally stable Al3Zr precipitates, which coarsens the resisting behavior of various intermetallics in the thermally damaged alloy.

New Insights into the Mechanism of Nucleation of ZrO2 Inclusions at High Temperature.

It is difficult to observe the nucleation mechanism of inclusions in real-time. In this study, the nucleation process of zirconium oxide inclusions was systematically studied by classical nucleation theory and first principles. Zr deoxidized steel with 100 ppm Zr addition was processed into metallographic samples for scanning electron microscopy energy-dispersive spectroscopy observation. The electrolytic sample was analyzed by micro X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, and the zirconium oxide in the sample was determined to be ZrO2. The nucleation rate and radius of the ZrO2 inclusions were calculated by classical nucleation theory, and they were compared with the experimental values. There was a considerable difference between the experimental and theoretical values of the nucleation rate. The effect of the nucleation size was analyzed by first-principles calculation, and the thermodynamic properties of ZrO2 clusters and nanoparticles were analyzed by constructing (ZrO2)n (n = 1-6) clusters. The thermodynamic properties of ZrO2 calculated by first principles were consistent with the values in the literature. Based on two-step nucleation theory, the nucleation pathway of ZrO2 is as follows: Zratom + Oatom → (ZrO2)n → (ZrO2)2 → core (ZrO2 particle)-shell ((ZrO2)2 cluster) nanoparticle → (ZrO2)bulk.

Modifying α-Al2O3 with cerium, zirconium, and sulfate for catalytic removal of C4F8.

Modification of α-Al2O3 (A) with cerium (C), zirconium (Z), and sulfate (S) for effective C4F8 removal is evaluated at temperatures ≤ 650°C. Catalytic hydrolysis of C4F8 is conducted to compare the performance of catalysts prepared (namely, A, AC, AZ, AS, ACS, and AZS). The interplay between rare earth element, acid amount, and surface area is further investigated. An investigation was carried out by characterization of catalysts by using XRD, BET, and NH3-TPD. XRD pattern of the modified α-Al2O3 catalyst shows that the average grain size is 37nm. BET analysis indicates that the surface area increases with the addition of Ce and Zr, while NH3-TPD analysis shows the improvement of acid sites after the addition of Ce, Zr, and SO42-. The experimental results indicate that C4F8 conversion over A catalyst reaches 14.81% at 550°C with the addition of 38% H2O(g). Under the same operating condition, C4F8 conversion efficiencies achieved with AC and AZ catalysts increase to 42.03% and 50.1%, respectively. Furthermore, the efficiencies over AS, ACS, and AZS catalysts increase to 49.85%, 86.94%, and 87.18%, respectively. Stability tests show that the performances of the catalysts for C4F8 conversion are with the order of AZS > ACS > AZ > AC > AS > A at 650°C during 24h. The activation energy of the AZS catalyst in catalytic hydrolysis of C4F8 is 60.49kJ/mol. The products of C4F8 conversion mainly include CO2, CO, and COF2 and small amounts of CHF3 and C2F4. This study has confirmed that the AZS catalyst shows the best activity, acidity, and stability on C4F8 removal.

Effects of Zr doping on activation capability and hydrogen storage performances of TiFe-based alloy

Activation difficulty is the key problem limiting the application of TiFe-based hydrogen storage alloys. The addition of transition group elements helps to improve the activation properties of TiFe-based hydrogen storage alloy. In our previous work, the Ti1.08Y0.02Fe0.8Mn0.2 alloy exhibits extremely high hydrogen storage capacity (1.84 wt%) at room temperature with excellent kinetic properties, but it still needs an incubation period of about 1500s. In this study, the composition of Ti1.08Y0.02Fe0.8Mn0.2Zrx (x = 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08) alloys was prepared by electromagnetic induction melting. The quantitative analysis of elements by energy dispersive spectrometer shows that in the second phase region containing Zr, the content of Ti element is significantly higher than that of Fe. Meanwhile, the first-principle calculation on Zr-doped TiFe system indicates that Zr is more attractive to substitute Ti than Fe. Therefore, the doping of Zr partially replaces the Ti. The solubility of Zr in TiFe is limited, when x ≤ 0.04, the alloy consists of pure TiFe phase. When x > 0.4, the excess Zr forms precipitates, which reduces the reversible hydrogen absorption and desorption capacity of the TiFe alloy. The addition of Zr significantly shortens the activation time and reduces the plateau pressure of TiFe alloys. The Ti1.08Y0.02Fe0.8Mn0.2Zr0.04 alloy can be directly activated without the incubation period and its absolute values of enthalpy change (ΔH) and entropy change (ΔS) are minima (ΔH for 23.2 kJ/mol and ΔS for 83.1 J/mol/K).

Optimizing microstructure and mechanical properties of NiAl-9Mo alloy by Zr addition and suction casting process

Optimizing microstructure and mechanical properties of NiAl-9Mo alloy by Zr addition and suction casting process

An ab initio study on phase stability, elastic and mechanical properties of Zr-doped TiAl2 and α-TiAl3 intermetallics

In this study, phase stability, elastic and mechanical properties of Zr-doped TiAl2 and intermetallics have been studied by ab initio calculations based on density functional theory. The virtual crystal approximation (VCA) method has been utilized to develop crystal structures. Calculated lattice constants and elastic properties of the unalloyed TiAl2 and intermetallics were given and discussed. In addition, machinability index has been accounted for. Formation enthalpies, Gibbs free energies of Zr-doped compounds are lower than pure TiAl2 and intermetallics. Bulk moduli values have been improved by Zr doping for both alloys. Ductile alloys have been obtained when Zr addition of TiAl2 and was greater than 6.0 wt.%.

Refinement of αs phase and formation of nano-twins of Ti–7Mo–4Al–3Nb–2Cr alloyed by Zr element

To refine the αs phase and form the nano twins, different contents of Zr were added to as-cast Ti–7Mo–4Al–3Nb–2Cr-xZr alloys. Phase and microstructure evolution, mechanical properties and related mechanisms were systematically studied. Results show that as the Zr increases from 0 to 8 wt%, only α and β phases exist and the peak of β (110) shifts from 39.5 to 39.1° by XRD. The volume fraction of the αs phase changes from 75.4 to 73.9%, and its length decreases from 0.62 to 0.22 μm. More dislocations appear in the α/β interface and the growth twin of {10 1¯ 1}α < 11 2¯ 0> type with a width of ∼20 nm forms in α phase as observed by TEM. The refinement of the αs phase is due to the addition of Zr to promote nucleation and inhibit the growth rate. With increasing Zr content from 0 to 8 wt%, the strength increases from 961 to 1303 MPa, while the toughness decreases from 77 to 62 MPa m1/2. The fracture toughness decreases by 19.5%, while the strength increases by 35.6%. The refinement of αs phase, the solubilization of the Zr in the matrix, the increase of dislocation in the α/β interface, and the formation of nano twins are the main reasons for improving the strength and toughness of the studied alloys.

Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Nanoindentation of Nb-Zr Alloys with Different Zr Content

To understand the nanomechanical behaviors of the Nb-based alloys with Zr addition at room/high temperature, the molecular dynamics simulations of nanoindentation are conducted. In this work, the load-unload displacement curve, hardness, and dislocation characteristics of Nb-Zr alloys with varying Zr content ranging from 0 to 5 wt.% are studied. The simulation results are found to closely agree with the experimental one at 1 wt.%, therefore showing the reliability of the simulation. Moreover, considering distinct responses of alloys to different service temperature, the high-temperature nanoindentation are performed. The effects of Zr addition on the mechanical deformation under both temperatures are compared. The same phenomenon is found such that the optimum concentration range yielding the greatest hardness is 1–3 wt.%. The elastic modulus of NbZr alloy improves with elevated concentration at room temperature, while the hardness at higher temperature exhibits the opposite trend. This is attributed to the higher amplitude of atomic vibrations at high temperatures, which is more likely to deviate atoms from their equilibrium positions and weaken the pinning effect under external loading. Therefore, we believe that our studies on the nanomechanical mechanisms of materials at room/high temperature will provide an effective way for the alloying optimization design.

Effect of Rolling Temperature on Microstructure and Properties of Al-Mg-Li Alloy.

In this study, the effects of hot-rolled processes at different temperatures (420 °C, 450 °C, and 480 °C) and subsequent solid solution and aging treatments on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and corrosion properties of Al-Mg-Li alloys with trace Sc and Zr addition were investigated. The aging treatment of rolled sheets after solid solution treatment could obtain Al3Li particles and Al3(Sc, Zr)/Al3Li core-shell particles to improve the mechanical properties of Al-Mg-Li alloy products effectively. The results showed that, as the rolling temperatures increased from 420 °C to 480 °C, the alloy's ultimate tensile strengths and yield strengths increased, while the corrosion resistance decreased. The increase in rolling temperature increased the precipitation-free zone (PFZ) width of the alloy, which undermined the corrosion resistance of the alloy. Moreover, elevating the hot rolling temperature changes the texture strength of the alloy. Particularly in the 480 °C hot-rolled sample, the decrease in the Brass texture strength and the increase in the S texture and Copper texture strength led to an increase in the Taylor factor (M). The increase in rolling temperature also raised the number density of the Al3(Sc, Zr)/Al3Li core-shell particles. The presence of such particles not only inhibits grain growth but also changes the strength mechanism from dislocation cutting to Orowan bypassing. Due to the combination effect of grain morphology, texture evolution, and precipitation behavior, the 480 °C hot-rolled sample had the highest properties.

Precipitation sequence in Al-Sc-Zr alloys revisited

Sc and Zr additions to Al provide significant strengthening through the formation of Al3(Sc,Zr) L12 dispersoids. Fe impurities are always present in commercial Al alloys and the effect of these impurities on precipitation mechanisms in Al-Sc-Zr alloys remain poorly understood. This is particularly relevant when considering recycled aluminium as recycling results in the build-up of impurities. We used a combination of resistivity and thermo-electric power (TEP) measurements to monitor the evolution of solid solution during ageing of an Al-Sc, Al-Zr and Al-Sc-Zr alloy. Sc first comes out of solution to form Al3Sc dispersoids, followed by Zr to form Al3Zr. A range of Al3Sc-core/Al3Zr-shell faceted morphologies were observed with high angular annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM). The presence of a new class of Fe-rich plate-like precipitates in the {100}Al was revealed via HAADF-STEM. The ordered positions of the precipitate and matrix reflections in the selected area diffraction pattern and in high-resolution TEM images reveal that these precipitates display a multi-layered structure. The centre of the plates is pseudo-icosahedral with apparent five-fold symmetry, and is rich in Fe. The outside layer has a L12 structure and is rich in Sc and Zr. The layered structure allows complete coherency with the aluminium matrix. These precipitates are highly anisotropic with a thickness of 5-10 nm and a length up to ∼1000 nm. This is the first report of the formation of this type of coherent pseudo-icosahedral precipitates in isothermal conditions which is named the D-phase.

Effect of Zr addition on the microstructures and mechanical properties of ZrC–FeCrAl alloys

In light water reactors (LWR), it is necessary to decrease the thickness of the FeCrAl alloy cladding to reduce neutron absorption to further reduce the impact on the reactor cycle length. Thus, the mechanical properties of the FeCrAl alloys must be further improved. In this work, novel Zr–ZrC–FeCrAl alloys with different Zr content were designed and fabricated by mechanical alloying (MA) combined with spark plasma sintering (SPS) and hot rolling. With the addition of Zr, Fe2Zr Laves phase was successfully introduced into the Zr–ZrC–FeCrAl alloys, and thereby significantly improve the elevated temperature property and thermal stability. Meanwhile, the grain size and precipitate size are effectively refined when the Zr content reaches 0.3 wt%. Furthermore, the 0.3Zr–ZrC–FeCrAl alloy (FCA-0.3Zr) exhibits the optimum comprehensive properties, showing a 3.2% and 9.1% enhancement in tensile strength under room temperature and elevated temperature (800 °C), respectively, as compared to that of ZrC–FeCrAl alloy (FCA-0Zr). The potential application value in the field of LWR of Zr–ZrC–FeCrAl alloys is revealed in this study, which provides a beneficial reference for more work in the future.

Tribo-mechanical performance and antibacterial activity in (Cu, Zr)-alloyed Ti(Al)N coatings synthesized by reactive magnetron sputtering

In this work, copper and zirconium were added into the Ti(Al)N matrix to form deposited on TiAl(Cu, Zr)N coating using RF magnetron sputtering system in order to improve the mechanical, wear performance, and antibacterial activity. Results revealed that the TiAl(Cu, Zr)N coatings have a dense structure with (111) preferential orientation. The deposited TiAl(Cu, Zr)N coatings exhibited fcc-TiN structure, whereas the addition of Zr and Cu into the Ti(Al)N induced the appearance of Cu and ZrN. The solid solution strengthening and the increase in compressive residual stress (− 2.54 GPa) of Ti(Al, Zr)N coating with higher lattice strain (+ 0.1520) by the addition of Zr improved the hardness from 20.9 GPa. For the tribological property, the friction coefficient and wear rate decreased from (0.45, 5.9 × 10−3mm3/Nm) for the TiAlN to (0.29, 4.2 × 10−5mm3/Nm) for the Ti(Al, Zr)N, respectively, with high elasto-plastic H/E, H3/E2 (0.076, 0.121 GPa) ratios due to the low surface roughness, high adhesion, and nanocomposite structure. The results indicated the addition of Zr improves the friction property of Ti(Al)N coating. Although with their lower hardness than Ti(Al)N coating, the Ti(Al, Cu)N coating with 9.2 at.% Cu exhibited an excellent wear resistance and good antibacterial activity, which demonstrates its potential as a candidate material for biomedical application.Graphical

Ruthenium-Zirconium Oxides As Highly Stable Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalysts

The further development and utilization of proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs) is hindered by the cost, activity, and stability of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalyst. Iridium oxide (IrOx) is currently the go-to OER electrocatalyst, as it has been shown to have relative high activity and stability when compared to other OER active catalysts. However, iridium is one of the rarest elements in the Earth’s crust and therefore cost is a major limitation of iridium-based electrocatalysts. Ruthenium oxide (RuO2) is a highly active OER catalyst; although, it is highly unstable in acidic media and undergoes catalyst degradation over time. We investigated modifying RuO2 by substituting zirconium, which is highly stable in acidic conditions, to provide an electrocatalyst with increased stability. Our study explored the effect of low and moderate zirconium concentrations within RuO2 (Ru1-xZrxO2) on the structure, morphology, OER activity, and stability. The structure and morphology were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Preliminary results from XRD showed no observable phase separation at low Zr concentrations, and peak shifts were indicative of the incorporation of the larger Zr ion into the crystal structure of rutile RuO2. The OER activities and stabilities of Ru1-xZrxO2 were measured using a rotating disk electrode configuration and compared with RuO2. Our preliminary results show that the OER activity and stability are strongly affected by the addition of Zr and there may be an optimal concentration range for obtaining a balance between OER activity and stability. Our work furthers the understanding of how to develop OER electrocatalysts with increased stability while maintaining a high OER activity, which is crucial to the large-scale adoption of PEMWE’s.