Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 October 2004
Effect of nano ZnO on the hydrogen absorption performance of Ti-30V-15Mn-15Cr alloy was investigated. It was found that a small amount addition of nano ZnO (3 wt%) drastically improves the hydrogen absorption property of this alloy powder. The modification enables the air-exposed powder to absorb hydrogen quickly without activation. It could be attributed to the synergetic action of nano ZnO, which might expedite the dissociation of hydrogen on the oxidized alloy surface and play as entrance for hydrogen into the bulk alloy. The fact that nano ZnO addition improves the hydrogen absorption performance of Ti-30V-15Mn-15Cr alloy pioneers a new way for developing highly active Ti-V-based body-centered-cubic phase alloys.