Glycine-nitrate combustion process derived ZrCo particle with improved hydrogen and hydrogen isotope storage properties

ZrCo hydrogen isotope storage alloys are one of the key energy storage materials with promising applications in controlled nuclear fusion. However, slow kinetics and severe disproportionation hinder their large-scale application. Here, we develop a wet-chemical method to synthesis sub-micron sized ZrCo particle via glycine-nitrate combustion method combined with magnesiothermic reduction. The synthesis processes are systematic optimized, and the microstructure, phase composition and hydrogen/hydrogen isotope storage properties of the ZrCo particle are thoroughly investigated. The as-synthesized ZrCo particle exhibits high purity and crystallinity, achieving a room-temperature hydrogen storage capacity close to the theoretical limit. Notably, it exhibits ultrafast kinetics at room temperature (no gestation period, 5 s uptake 90 % of the maximum capacity). And the anti-disproportionation property (52 % in 10 h) and cycle stability (58 % in 50 cycles) are also improved due to the small sized effect. This work provides an innovative method for the preparation of multicomponent nanomaterials, which offer potential key energy storage materials for controlled nuclear fusion.