Hydrogen absorption properties of Ti0.85VFe0.15 modified by Zr substitution (5 at%) at V site are studied. The crystal structure, maximum hydrogen adsorption capacity and the hydrogen desortion properties of Ti0.85V0.95Fe0.15Zr0.05 have been compared with those of hydrogen Ti0.85VFe0.15. The alloys and the corresponding hydrides have been characterized by X-ray diffraction and Mossbauer spectroscopy. The kinetics of hydrogen uptake of both the alloys has been carried out and they are found to be comparable. The pressure-composition isotherms have been studied at room temperature and 373 K for both the alloys. Zr substituted composition is found to have better hydrogen absorption properties. Ti0.85VFe0.15 is found to absorb a maximum of 3.83H atoms/formula unit (3.7wt%) to form a hydride with a composition Ti0.85VFe0.15H3.83, while Ti0.85V0.95Fe0.15Zr0.05 absorbs a maximum of 3.74 H atoms/formula unit to form a hydride with a composition Ti0.85V0.95Fe0.15Zr0.05H3.74 (3.5wt%) at room temperature. Temperature programmed desorption studies have been carried out on the saturated hydrides in order to estimate the desorption temperatures. (C) 2007 International Association for Hydrogen Energy.