The effects of hydrogen impurities in the bulk and on the surface of aluminum are theoretically investigated. Within the framework of density-functional theory, we have obtained the dependence on H concentration of the stacking fault energy, the cleavage energy, the Al/H surface energy, and the Al/H/Al interface formation energy. The results indicate a strong dependence of the slip energy barrier in the ͓2 11͔ direction, the cleavage energy in the ͓111͔ direction and the Al/H/Al interface formation energy, on H concentration and on tension. The dependence of the Al/H surface energy on H coverage is less pronounced, while the optimal H coverage is р0.25 ML. The calculated activation energy for diffusion between high-symmetry sites in the bulk and on the surface is practically the same, 0.167 eV. From these results, we draw conclusions about the possible effect of H impurities on mechanical properties and, in particular, on their role in embrittlement of Al.
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