Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 12, 2026
11:05
Knowledge Based Cloud FE Simulation of Sheet Metal Forming Processes
Published on: December 13, 2016
12.7K
Interfacial Modulation for Anti-Disproportionation in Zr-Nb-Fe-Ni Based Hydrogen Isotope Storage Alloys Driven by
Zhiyi Yang1, Yuxiao Jia1, Yang Liu1
1State Key Laboratory of Silicon and Advanced Semiconductor Materials; School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|February 11, 2026
Summary
Minor niobium substitution significantly enhances Zr₂Fe-based alloys
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Hydrogen Storage
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Zr₂Fe-based alloys are promising for hydrogen storage but suffer from thermal/hydrogen-induced disproportionation.
- Disproportionation leads to alloy degradation, limiting practical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate interfacial transport inhibition as a strategy to enhance disproportionation resistance in Zr₂Fe-based alloys.
- To develop a novel alloy composition with improved stability and hydrogen storage properties.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical screening and alloy design.
- Experimental synthesis and characterization of Zr₁·₉Nb₀·₁Fe₀·₇Ni₀·₃ alloy.
- Thermodynamic and kinetic analyses.
- Density functional theory (DFT) and ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations.
Main Results:
- Nb substitution effectively inhibits disproportionation by acting as interfacial pinning centers.
- The modified alloy (Zr₁·₉Nb₀·₁Fe₀·₇Ni₀·₃) exhibits ultralow equilibrium hydrogen pressure and fast absorption kinetics.
- Enhanced resistance to disproportionation and excellent cycling stability were achieved under harsh conditions.
Conclusions:
- Interfacial kinetic engineering is a viable strategy to suppress disproportionation in Zr₂Fe-based hydrogen storage alloys.
- Nb substitution kinetically retards disproportionation-related atomic rearrangement and phase transformation.
- This work provides a new perspective for designing stable hydrogen storage materials.
Related Concept Videos
01:12Isotopes
65.0K
Elements have a set number of protons that determines their atomic number (Z). For example, all atoms with eight protons are oxygen; however, the number of neutrons can vary for atoms of the same element. The sum of the number of protons and the number of neutrons is the mass number (A). Atoms with the same atomic number but different mass numbers are called isotopes. Elements can have multiple isotopes, for example, carbon-12, carbon-13, and carbon-14.
An element's atomic mass, or weight,...
An element's atomic mass, or weight,...
65.0K
02:31Elements: Chemical Symbols and Isotopes
127.3K
A chemical symbol is an abbreviation used to indicate an element or an atom of an element. For example, the symbol for mercury is Hg. The same symbol is used to indicate one atom of mercury (microscopic domain) or to label a container of many atoms of the element mercury (macroscopic domain).
Some symbols are derived from the common English name of the element; others are abbreviations of the name in another language — Latin, Greek or German. For example, the symbol for aluminum (common name)...
Some symbols are derived from the common English name of the element; others are abbreviations of the name in another language — Latin, Greek or German. For example, the symbol for aluminum (common name)...
127.3K
01:45Destabilization of Microtubules
3.7K
The destabilization of microtubules can occur during different stages of the microtubule lifecycle, such as nucleation or elongation. It can take place at either end of the microtubule or in the microtubule lattices as a whole. The lifespan of individual microtubules within a cell varies according to the cell type and stage of the cell cycle. During interphase, the lifespan of the microtubule is about 30 minutes, while during cell division, it is about 15 minutes. In axonal microtubules of...
3.7K
00:26Hydrogen Bonds
134.5K
Hydrogen bonds are weak attractions between atoms that have formed other chemical bonds. One of these atoms is electronegative, like oxygen, and has a partial negative charge. The other is a hydrogen atom that has bonded with another electronegative atom and has a partial positive charge.
Hydrogen Bonds Control the World!
Because hydrogen has very weak electronegativity when it binds with a strongly electronegative atom, such as oxygen or nitrogen, electrons in the bond are unequally shared....
Hydrogen Bonds Control the World!
Because hydrogen has very weak electronegativity when it binds with a strongly electronegative atom, such as oxygen or nitrogen, electrons in the bond are unequally shared....
134.5K
01:04Hydrogen Bonds
15.1K
A hydrogen bond is formed when a weakly positive hydrogen atom already bonded to one electronegative atom (for example, the oxygen in the water molecule) is attracted to another electronegative atom from another polar molecule, such as water (H2O), hydrogen fluoride (HF), or ammonia (NH3). The huge electronegativity difference between the H atom (2.1) and the atom to which it is bonded (4.0 for an F atom, 3.5 for an O atom, or 3.0 for an N atom), combined with the very small size of an H atom...
15.1K
01:10Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules
4.0K
Microtubules are dynamic structures and can be regulated by microtubule targeting agents (MTAs). Microtubule destabilizing drugs are a class of MTAs that destabilize and prevent microtubules' polymerization. Both natural and synthetic chemicals can be found under this class of drugs. Vincristine and vinblastine, two vinca alkaloids, and colchicine were among the first to be discovered. These drugs can affect cells in various ways, either by inducing a change in cell morphology, preventing...
4.0K