Hydrolysis reaction of ball-milled Mg-metal chlorides composite for hydrogen generation for fuel cells

In this paper, the hydrolysis properties for hydrogen generation by Mg-metal chlorides composites in pure water are investigated. The composites were prepared by high energy ball milling. It is found that the Mg-metal chlorides composites are very promising for hydrogen generation by hydrolysis reaction. The micro-galvanic cell formed by Mg and the other metal which produced by replacement reaction occurred during the ball-milling process is very effective for improving the hydrolysis reactivity. Based on the investigations of different kinds of chlorides additives, it is found that the Mg-10 wt% FeCl3 composite ball-milled for 30 min has the best hydrolysis properties with an initial hydrogen generation rate of 1479.1 ml*g−1 min−1 and a theoretical hydrogen production yield of 98% in 2 min.

► Easily prepared Mg-chlorides composite has low-cost for H2 generation.
► The composite can generate abundant H2 in pure water at room temperature.
► Mg-10 wt% FeCl3 has an initial H2 generation rate of 1479.1 ml*g−1 min−1.
► Mg-10 wt% FeCl3 can release 98% of theoretically H2 in 2 min.
► Mg-chlorides composite can be used for on-board H2 generation for fuel cells.