Effect of vanadium on hydrogenation of mechanically treated zirconium-containing alloys

Mechanical treatment of powders with additions of nickel to serve as a catalyst of the chemical adsorption of hydrogen is used to activate the hydrogenation of zirconium-containing alloys. Polarization curves are plotted to study the kinetics of electrochemical release and adsorption of hydrogen on zirconium alloys in which aluminum is replaced by vanadium. It is shown that the replacement is efficient and the maximum hydrogen capacity depends on the optimum concentration of the catalyst in the alloy.