Microstructure and hydrogen storage properties of the laser sintered Mg2NiMg2Ni alloy

The Mg2NiMg2Ni hydrogen storage samples were prepared by the laser sintering method. Before laser sintering, the Mg and Ni powders were pre-mixed by pestle milling (sample PM) or ball milling (sample BM). The microstructures and hydrogen storage properties of the laser sintered Mg2NiMg2Ni samples were investigated. The sintered samples contained Mg2NiMg2Ni and small amount of MgNi2MgNi2, Mg, Ni and MgO. Compared with the sample PM, the amounts of Mg2NiMg2Ni and MgNi2MgNi2 reduced and the amounts of Mg and Ni increased in the sample BM. The laser sintered Mg2NiMg2Ni samples can be activated easily at 573 K. The maximum hydrogen storage capacities of the PM and BM samples were 3.23 and 3.44 wt%, respectively.