Cluster-based composition rule for Laves phase-related BCC solid solution hydrogen storage alloys

A new cluster line approach for the composition rule of Laves phase-related BCC solid solution hydrogen-storage alloys was presented. The cluster line in a ternary phase diagram refers to a straight composition line linking a specific binary cluster to the third element. In the Laves phase-related BCC solid solution alloy system such as Ti-Cr-V, Ti-Cr tends to form binary Cr2Ti Laves phase while Ti-V and Cr-V to form solid solutions. This Laves phase is characterized by a close-packing icosahedral cluster Cr7Ti6. A cluster line Cr7Ti6-V is then constructed in this system. Alloy rods with a diameter of 3 mm of compositions along this line were prepared by copper-mould suction method. The alloy structure is found to vary with the V contents. Furthermore, the P-C-T measurements indicate that the cluster-line (Cr7Ti6)1−x Vx alloys have large hydrogen storage capacities.