Metal hydrides (MH) are often preferred to absorb and desorb
hydrogen at ambient temperature and pressure with a high volumetric density. These
hydrogen storage
alloys create promising prospects for
hydrogen storage and can solve the energetic and environmental issues. In the present research work, the goal of our studies is to find the influence of partial substitution of small amounts of
vanadium and
tantalum on the hydrogenation properties of TiFe(0.7-x)Mn(0.3)V(x) (x = 0.05, and 0.1) and Ti(1-y)Ta(y)Fe(0.7)Mn(0.3) (y = 0.2, and 0.4)
alloys, respectively. The nominal compositions of these materials are TiFe(0.6)Mn(0.3)V(0.05), TiFe(0.6)Mn(0.3)V(0.1), Ti(0.8)Ta(0.2)Fe(0.7)Mn(0.3), and Ti(0.6)Ta(0.4)Fe(0.7)Mn(0.3). All samples were synthesized by
arc-melting high purity elements under
argon atmosphere. The structural and microstructural properties of the samples were studied by using XRD and SEM, respectively, while the corresponding microchemistry was determined by obtaining EDS measurements at specific regions of the samples. Mapping was obtained in order to investigate atomic distribution in microstructure. Moreover, to ensure the associations between the properties and structure, all samples were examined by an optical microscope for accessional characterization. From all these microscopic examinations a variety of photomicrographs were taken with different magnifications. The hydrogenation properties were obtained by using a Magnetic
Suspension Balance (Rubotherm). In this equipment, the
hydrogen desorption and re-absorption, can be investigated at constant
hydrogen pressures in the range of 1 to 20 MPa (flow-through mode). At least 3.43 wt.% of absorbed
hydrogen amount was measured while the effect of substitutions was investigated at the same temperature.