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Developments in the Ni–Nb–Zr amorphous alloy membranes

A review

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Abstract

Most of the global H2 production is derived from hydrocarbon-based fuels, and efficient H2/CO2 separation is necessary to deliver a high-purity H2 product. Hydrogen-selective alloy membranes are emerging as a viable alternative to traditional pressure swing adsorption processes as a means for H2/CO2 separation. These membranes can be formed from a wide range of alloys, and those based on Pd are the closest to commercial deployment. The high cost of Pd (USD ~31,000 kg−1) is driving the development of less-expensive alternatives, including inexpensive amorphous (Ni60Nb40)100−x Zr x alloys. Amorphous alloy membranes can be fabricated directly from the molten state into continuous ribbons via melt spinning and depending on the composition can exhibit relatively high hydrogen permeability between 473 and 673 K. Here we review recent developments in these low-cost membrane materials, especially with respect to permeation behavior, electrical transport properties, and understanding of local atomic order. To further understand the nature of these solids, atom probe tomography has been performed, revealing amorphous Nb-rich and Zr-rich clusters embedded in majority Ni matrix whose compositions deviated from the nominal overall composition of the membrane.

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Acknowledgments

This research is supported by US DOE-NNSA Grant (US DE-NA0002004).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Materials Science and Engineering, University of Nevada, MS 388, Reno, NV, 89557, USA

    S. Sarker & D. Chandra

  2. Max-Planck-Institut für Intelligente Systeme, Heisenbergstrasse 3, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany

    M. Hirscher

  3. CSIRO, QCAT, Energy, 1 Technology Court, Pullenvale, QLD, 4069, Australia

    M. Dolan & D. Viano

  4. Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, 2220 N. Campus Dr., Evanston, IL, 60208, USA

    D. Isheim

  5. Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, 875451, USA

    J. Wermer

  6. Department of Chemistry and NIS, University of Turin, Via P. Giura, 9, 10125, Turin, Italy

    M. Baricco

  7. National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899, USA

    T. J. Udovic

  8. University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK

    D. Grant

  9. CNR-ISC, U.O.S. La Sapienza, Piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy

    O. Palumbo & A. Paolone

  10. University of Rome, La Sapienza, 00185, Roma, Italy

    R. Cantelli

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  1. S. Sarker
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  11. O. Palumbo
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Correspondence to D. Chandra.

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Sarker, S., Chandra, D., Hirscher, M. et al. Developments in the Ni–Nb–Zr amorphous alloy membranes. Appl. Phys. A 122, 168 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-016-9650-5

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