Hydrogen generation from Al-Mg-Fe-Sn alloys: a recycling strategy with emphasis on microstructure

• Grant number: 23/01422-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: September 01, 2023
• End date: August 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Transformation Metallurgy
• Agreement: CNPq
• Principal Investigator: Noe Cheung
• Grantee: Noe Cheung
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Mecânica (FEM). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/11439-0 - Interrelationships between thermal parameters/solidification microstructures with wear resistance and hydrogen generation of Al-Sn-(Mg;Zn) alloys, AP.R
• Associated scholarship(s): 23/12535-8 - Hydrogen Generation from Al-Mg-Fe-Sn Alloys: A Recycling Strategy with Emphasis on Microstructure, BP.JD

Abstract

This project aims to contribute to a better understanding of the hydrogen (H2) generation behavior of Al-Mg-Fe-Sn alloys with focus on the development of correlations with microstructural solidification parameters. Currently, the hydrolysis reaction of Al-based alloys appears to be a promising method for producing H2. However, such a process becomes economically attractive only if such alloys are recycled. It is known that the incorporation of Fe during the recycling of Al-Mg alloys can limit their use in structural applications. Thus, an alternative for reusing these materials is to generate H2. However, an important factor to be considered is the activation of such alloys in corrosion terms. In this sense, the addition of Sn (~1%) can be adopted to favor the H2 evolution reaction through the formation of galvanic cells and breakdown of the passive layer. It should be noted that the research project to which this postdoc will be linked includes the characterization of Al-Sn-Mg alloys for hydrogen generation. In this post-doctorate, the solute contents of the Al-Sn-Mg alloys of the bond project will be maintained, but with the addition of 1%Fe (typical Fe concentration of recycled alloys). Thus, an additional contribution will be to investigate the potential generation of hydrogen from these alloys when recycled. Regarding the methodology, samples will be produced through a directional solidification technique. After the thermal analysis, a broad microstructural characterization will be carried out. In the next phase, samples with different microstructural spacings will be submitted to H2 release tests and potentiodynamic polarization tests. Finally, it is intended to establish mathematical relationships that correlate the quantitative parameters of the microstructure, thermal solidification parameters and H2 generation behavior. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

DE SOUSA, GUILHERME CALIXTO CARNEIRO; DE PAULA, ANDREI; BARROS, ANDRE; GARCIA, AMAURI; CHEUNG, NOE. Hardness Changes Due to the Morphological Evolution of Microstructural Phases in an As-Solidified Zn-Fe Alloy. MATERIALS, v. 18, n. 6, p. 15-pg., 2025-03-16. (21/11439-0, 23/01422-8, 23/12535-8)

BARROS, ANDRE; CRUZ, CLARISSA; KONNO, CAMILA; CONDE, ANA; HENEIN, HANI; GARCIA, AMAURI; CHEUNG, NOE. Tailoring the hydrogen production behavior of Al-Zn-Sn alloys through their as-solidified microstructures. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY, v. 76, p. 18-pg., 2024-06-17. (23/01422-8, 21/11439-0, 23/12535-8)