Computational evaluation of comprehensive properties of MgX3H8 (X = Sc, Ti and Zr) as effective solid state hydrogen storage materials

Abstract

In this study, structural, mechanical, electronic, dynamic, thermodynamic and hydrogen storage properties of MgX3H8 (X = Sc, Ti, Zr) were investigated by means of density functional theory which was not studied/reported experimentally or theoretically in the previous literature. This is the first thorough study about various properties of these materials. These materials were considered as promising potential host materials for solid state hydrogen storage. The evaluation of computed formation enthalpies of MgX3H8 (X = Sc, Ti, Zr), elastic constants, and phonon dispersion graphs revealed that MgX3H8 (X = Sc, Ti, Zr) is thermodynamically, mechanically, and dynamically stable and synthesizable. The analysis of B/G ratio, Cp and Poisson's ratio showed that MgSc3H8 is a brittle material whereas MgTi3H8 and MgZr3H8 are ductile materials. Moreover, anisotropy factor, machinability index, hardness, melting and Debye temperature of the materials were obtained and analysed in depth. The electronic band structures of MgX3H8 (X = Sc, Ti, Zr) illustrated metallic character since the bands (valence and conduction) intersect the Fermi level along the main symmetry directions. The phonon dispersion curves, and the partial state densities of the materials have positive frequencies, therefore, materials are dynamically stable in the cubic structure. The gravimetric hydrogen densities were calculated as 4.60 wt% for MgSc3H8, 4.38 wt% for MgTi3H8 and 2.56 wt% for MgZr3H8. The hydrogen desorption temperatures were computed as 239.54 K for MgSc3H8, 241.76 K for MgTi3H8 and 303.87 K for MgZr3H8. The mechanical properties of the materials suggest that they can be promising host materials for hydrogen storage.