Open Access

Hydrogen embrittlement (HE), degradation of the mechanical properties of metals due to the presence of hydrogen, is a persistent problem that has been attracting the attention of the material science community for about fifteen decades. Extensive experimental observations indicate the presence of nanovoids and the increase of free volume at the grain boundaries in hydrogen contaminated metals. This rate-dependent phenomenon motivates theoretical investigations of the underlying mechanisms. Here, a hydrogen enhanced cross-slip (HECS) mechanism in the close vicinity of the grain boundaries is demonstrated by direct molecular dynamics simulations and theoretical calculations. To this end, the interaction of screw dislocations with a variety of symmetric tilt grain boundaries in H-charged and H-free bicrystalline nickel is examined. The presence of segregated H atoms at the grain boundaries induces a stress field in their vicinity, and thus,- the barrier for cross-slip of screw dislocations considerably decreases. The enhanced cross-slip of dislocations facilitates the formation of jogs on bowedout dislocations. These jogs can form vacancies during the glide process. This mechanism of defect production shows nanoscale evidence of enhanced vacancy formation and subsequent increase in the free volume along the grain boundaries in the presence of H.

Thermodynamic bulk phase diagrams have become the roadmap used by researchers to identify alloy compositions and process conditions that result in novel materials with tailored properties. Recent experimental studies show that changes in the alloy composition can drive not only transitions in the bulk phases present in a material, but also in the concentration and type of defects they contain. Defect phase diagrams in combination with density functional theory provide a natural route to study these chemically driven defects. Our results reveal, however, that direct application of equilibrium bulk thermodynamics can fail to reproduce experimentally observed defect formation. Therefore, we extend the concept to metastable defect phase diagrams to account for kinetic limitations that prevent the system from reaching equilibrium. We apply this concept to successfully explain the formation of large concentrations of planar defects in supersaturated Fe-Nb solid solutions. We then utilize it to design suitable conditions for synthesis, which we subsequently realized experimentally, successfully validating the formation of the predicted defects in Mg-Al-Ca alloys. The concept offers new avenues for the design of materials performance by tailoring defect structures.

Hydrogen embrittlement in Zr-alloy fuel cladding is a primary safety concern for water-based nuclear reactors. Here we investigated the stabilization of planar defects within the forming hydrides by Sn, the primary alloying element of Zircaloy-4 used in the cladding. In order to explain the formation of hydrides and planar defects observed in our experiments, we performed atomic-scale ab initio calculations focusing on the solute interactions with generalized stacking faults in hcp 𝛼-Zr and fcc zirconium hydrides. Our calculations showed that an increase in Sn concentration leads to a stabilization of stacking faults in both the 𝛼-Zr and hydride phases. However, the solution enthalpy of Sn is lower in the 𝛼-Zr as compared to the other hydride phases, indicative of two competing processes of Sn depletion/enrichment at the Zr hydride/matrix interface. This is corroborated by experimental findings, where Sn is less soluble in hydrides and is mostly found trapped at interfaces and planar defects, indicative of stacking faults inside the hydride phases. Our systematic investigation enables us to understand the presence and distribution of solutes in the hydride phases, which provides a deeper insight into the microstructural evolution of such alloy's properties during its service lifetime.

Chemically complex materials (CCMats) 􀀀 including high-entropy alloys, oxides, and related multi-principal element systems 􀀀 offer a paradigm shift in materials design by leveraging chemical diversity to simultaneously optimize functional, structural, and sustainability criteria. The vastness of the compositional and structural space in CCMats propels the field into an expanding exploratory state. To reconcile functional and structural performance across this immense parameter space remains an open challenge. This Perspective evaluates the opportunities and challenges associated with harnessing chemical complexity across a broad spectrum of applications, such as hydrogen storage, ionic conductors, catalysis, magnetics, dielectrics, semiconductors, optical materials, and multifunctional structural systems. It is delineated how three central design strategies: targeted substitution (SUB), defect engineering (DEF), and diversity management (DIV) enable the reconciliation of high functional performance with long-term structural stability and environmental responsibility. Advances in computational thermodynamics, microstructure simulations, machine learning, and multimodal characterization are accelerating the exploration and optimization of CCMats, while robust data infrastructures and automated synthesis workflows are emerging as essential tools for navigating their complex compositional space. By fostering cross-disciplinary knowledge transfer and embracing data-driven design, CCMats are poised to deliver next-generation materials solutions that address urgent technological, energy, and environmental demands.