Hydrogenation study of suction-cast Ti40Zr40Ni20 quasicrystal

Suction casting was predicted to be an usable method for improving the hydriding kinetics of Ti/Zr-based icosahedral quasicrystals (IQCs) in our previous work. To further determine it, a suction-cast Ti₄₀Zr₄₀Ni₂₀ IQC alloy was used for hydrogenation studies by Pressure Composition Isotherm (PCI) and Temperature Programmed Desorption (TPD) techniques. The results showed that, this alloy absorbed hydrogen rapidly with obvious hydrogen pressure plateau and some reversibility, however, displayed very limited hydrogen capacity (about 0.7 wt.%) and low equilibrium pressure. After several hydrogenation/dehydrogenation cycles, the IQC structure transformed into two hydride phases, ZrH_2−x and one unknown, both of which decomposed at above 600 °C, suggesting high thermo-stability for them. On the whole, indeed the suction-casting method can increase the hydrogen absorption rate of Ti/Zr-based IQCs, however, the hydrogenation properties of the Ti₄₀Zr₄₀Ni₂₀ IQC alloy still need a mighty advancement.