Rapid dehydrogenation of metallic materials under external electric field

The interaction between hydrogen and metal materials can lead to catastrophic failure of metallic materials, and while some metal materials can use this effect as hydrogen storage materials to make better use of hydrogen energy. If dehydrogenation is easier, it will help control hydrogen-induced degradation and the utilization of metallic hydrogen storage materials. In this study, molecular dynamics simulations are used to apply an electric field in the bicrystal hydrogen-iron system to study the diffusion coefficient of hydrogen atoms. Simultaneously, using hydrogen-charged high-strength as a model system, the effect of electric field on hydrogen content and mechanical properties of hydrogen-charged high-strength steel was also studied. Experimental and molecular simulation results show that, compared with traditional tempering, the diffusion rate of hydrogen atoms is faster and the diffusion activation energy is smaller under the action of an electric field, which is more conducive to the recovery of the mechanical properties of hydrogen-charged high-strength steel. Due to the introduction of an electric field to cause additional electrical energy, the energy barrier for hydrogen atom diffusion is lowered. At the same time, due to the influence of electromigration, the diffusion of hydrogen atoms is driven by an electron wind force, which eventually leads to an acceleration of the dehydrogenation rate.