Crucial role of Ce particles during initial hydrogen absorption of AB-type hydrogen storage alloys

The hydrogen storage behavior and the microstructural features of AB-type Ti50Fe48V2 hydrogen storage alloys containing a small amount of cerium (Ce) were investigated to understand the effect of Ce addition during initial hydrogen absorption. The initial hydrogen absorption kinetics of the alloys improved significantly at room temperature with Ce addition, which exhibited no significant influence on the pressure-composition isotherms for hydrogen absorption and desorption. Fine spherical particles containing Ce, which were determined to be γ-Ce mixed with cerium oxide, were dispersed in the ordered body-centered cubic TiFe matrix. During the early stage of hydrogen absorption, small cracks were initiated around the Ce particles, likely caused by the volume expansion owing to the formation of ε-CeH2. Subsequently, many large cracks, believed to have formed owing to the hydrogenation of the TiFe matrix, propagated during further hydrogen absorption. Therefore, these Ce particles appear to play a crucial role by providing starting points for the initial hydrogenation, with this mechanism explaining the significant increase in the primary hydrogen absorption kinetics after Ce addition. Notably, some small pits were observed after partial hydrogen absorption, possibly attributed to the hydrogenation of Ce particles underneath the alloy surfaces.