Hydrogen absorption/desorption behavior of Mg50La20Ni30 bulk metallic glass

In this work, Mg50La20Ni30 bulk metallic glass (BMG) was prepared and its hydrogen absorption/desorption behavior was studied. The amorphous structure was found to be retained after gaseous hydrogenation. The Tg and Tx of the hydrogenated Mg50La20Ni30 BMG was 561 K and 619 K respectively, much higher than the corresponding value of 463 K and 504 K of the unhydrogenated sample. Mg50La20Ni30 BMG absorbed 0.73 and 1.85 wt% hydrogen within 1 h at 313 K and 423 K respectively, which was higher than that of ball-milled Mg2Ni alloy. Mg50La20Ni30 BMG exhibited an equilibrium hydrogen absorption plateau with a pressure of 0.07 MPa in pressure–composition isotherm curve at 423 K. It suggested that Mg-based BMGs are promising materials for hydrogen storage applications.

► Hydrogen absorption/desorption behavior of Mg50La20Ni30 BMG was studied.
► Enhancement in thermal stability due to hydrogenation was found in Mg50La20Ni30 BMG.
► Mg50La20Ni30 BMG shows better hydrogen storage properties than ball-milled Mg2Ni.
► Mg-based BMGs are new potential materials for hydrogen storage applications.