The effect of Nb on the corrosion and hydrogen pick-up of Zr alloys

Bell, B.D.C. and Murphy, S.T. and Grimes, R.W. and Wenman, M.R. (2017) The effect of Nb on the corrosion and hydrogen pick-up of Zr alloys. Acta Materialia, 132. pp. 425-431. ISSN 1359-6454

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Abstract

Abstract Zr-Nb alloys are known to perform better in corrosion and hydrogen pick-up than other Zr alloys but the mechanism by which this happens is not well understood. Atomistic simulations using density functional theory of both tetragonal and monoclinic ZrO2 were performed, with intrinsic defects and Nb dopants. The overall defect populations with respect to oxygen partial pressure were calculated and presented in the form of Brouwer diagrams. Nb is found to favour 5 + in monoclinic ZrO2 at all partial pressures, but can exist in oxidation states ranging from 5 + to 3 + in the tetragonal phase. Nb5+ is charge balanced by Zr vacancies in both phases, suggesting that contrary to previous assumptions, Nb does not act as an n-type dopant in the oxide layer. Clusters containing oxygen vacancies were considered, Nb2+ was shown to exist in the tetragonal phase with a binding energy of 2.4 eV. This supports the proposed mechanism whereby low oxidation state Nb ions (2 + or 3+) charge balance the build-up of positive space-charge in the oxide layer, increasing oxygen vacancy and electron mobility, leading to near-parabolic corrosion kinetics and a reduced hydrogen pick-up. Previous experimental work has shown that tetragonal ZrO2 transforms to the monoclinic phase during transition, and that during transition a sharp drop in the instantaneous hydrogen pick-up fraction occurs. The oxidation of lower charge state Nb defects to Nb5+ during this phase change, and the consequent temporary n-doping of the oxide layer, is proposed as an explanation for the drop in hydrogen pick-up during transition.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Acta Materialia
Additional Information:
This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Acta Materialia. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Acta Materialia, 132, 2017 DOI: 10.1016/j.actamat.2017.04.063
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2500/2507
Subjects:
?? density functional theoryzirconiumniobiumcorrosionhydrogen pick-uppolymers and plasticsmetals and alloysceramics and compositeselectronic, optical and magnetic materials ??
ID Code:
86091
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
28 Apr 2017 15:38
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
06 Jan 2024 00:19