Hydrogen storage properties of TiMn2-based alloys

Several TiMn₂-based C14 Laves phase alloys were prepared and their hydrogen storage properties studied in order to develop suitable materials for hydrogen storage tank or hydride heat pump applications. It was observed that the plateau characteristic of the stoichiometric alloy AB, was better than that of the non-stoichiometric one. The plateau pressure was effectively decreased by the partial substitution of Zr for Ti, while the slope was increased. The substitution effects of other transition elements, such as Cr, V, Cu, Fe, Ni for Mn, were also examined. It was found that Cr was suitable for decreasing the hysteresis, Cu could flatten the plateau with decreasing storage capacity, and V could effectively lower the plateau pressure without decreasing the storage capacity. The hydriding properties were found to be related to the lattice structures. Considering a careful balance of the substitution effects of the alloying elements, it was found that Ti_0.85Zr_0.15MnCr_0.8V_0.1Cu_0.1 alloy had very good plateau characteristics with considerably small hysteresis and high storage capacity.