Target-driven discovery of metal hydrides using a high-throughput computational framework: from operational targets to sustainability assessment
Abstract Metal hydrides based on multi-principal element alloys (MPEAs) offer tunable hydrogen storage properties, but their vast compositional space poses significant design challenges. A high-throughput computational strategy is proposed to identify alloys under predefined operating conditions, demonstrated here for hydrogen gas separation. CALPHAD equilibrium calculations were performed in the Ti-V-Cr-Nb system using a Python TM script with PanPython (Pandat TM SDK). Single-phase body-centered cubic (BCC) alloys were identified and evaluated using a computational framework to predict pressure-composition-temperature (PCT) diagrams. Candidates were screened based on operational requirements and ranked using multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA), considering economic, environmental, and societal indicators. The highest-ranked alloy, Ti 20 V 12.5 Cr 20 Nb 47.5 , was synthesized and characterized. Hydrogen storage measurements using a volumetric apparatus confirmed reversible hydrogen uptake of 1.2 H/M (1.68 wt.%) under the targeted operating conditions. This integrated framework enables the identification of hydrides operating under predefined conditions while supporting sustainability-driven decision-making, paving the way for accelerated discovery of hydrogen materials and the advancement of sustainable energy technologies.
Authors
- Ricardo Floriano (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4570-105X)
- Francisco Gil Coury (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0457-2087)
- Renato Belli Strozi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0560-6864)
- Guilherme Zepon (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5852-9076)
- Betania Campello
- Otávio Abreu Pedroso
- Caroline Binde Stoco
Institutions
- Universidade Federal de São Carlos (BR)
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) (BR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- npj Computational Materials
- Published
- 2026-08-26
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41524-026-02295-4
- Primary Topic
- Hydrogen Storage and Materials
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
- Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico