Binding of multiple H atoms to solute atoms in bcc Fe using first principles

W. Counts*, C. Wolverton, R. Gibala

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

We previously performed a series of density functional theory calculations to investigate the interaction between single H atoms and point defects in body-centered cubic (bcc) Fe (Counts W, Wolverton C, Gibala R. Acta Mater 2010;58:4730). Here, we extend that work to a systematic study of binding between multiple H atoms and solute atoms in bcc Fe. We investigate the binding of multiple H atoms to one another, to interstitial C and to substitutional solutes. Our study shows the following: (i) H-H interactions are weak. The maximum attractive H-H binding energy is around 0.03 eV, which agrees with experimental values. (ii) The maximum attractive incremental binding energy of a second H atom to a C-H defect pair is 0.07 eV. (iii) We investigate the ability of 3d transition metal solutes to bind up to five H atoms. The binding energy of the second H to a 3d transition metal solute is attractive with a value ∼0.03 eV greater than binding of energy of the first, independent of solute. The binding energies of the third to fifth H atoms vary but are generally positive. Based on a stability analysis of the H binding energies, we find that the largest H-solute defect complex for V, Cr, Co, Ni and Zn contains two H atoms, while for Sc, Ti, Mn, and Cu the largest defect complex contains four H atoms.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)5812-5820
Number of pages9
JournalActa Materialia
Volume59
Issue number14
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2011

Funding

The authors would like to acknowledge funding from General Motors Corporation. The authors also acknowledge funding from the Department of Energy under grant DEFG36-08GO1813. The authors would like to acknowledge helpful discussions with Scott Jorgensen.

Keywords

  • Density functional
  • Ferritic steels
  • Hydrogen embrittlement
  • Iron

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Ceramics and Composites
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Metals and Alloys

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