Microwave-assisted synthesis and characterization of Nd1.5Mg17Ni0.5–Fe3O4 hydrogen storage composite

This work reports the preparation of Nd1.5Mg17Ni0.5–Fe3O4 hydrogen storage composite in a single mode 2.45 GHz microwave cavity. The physicochemical properties (thermodynamic and kinetic characteristics, hydrogen absorption/desorption properties, thermal behavior, phase composition and morphology) were characterized by pressure-composition isotherms, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer, transmission electron microscopy, and laser granulometry. The proposed microwave synthesis, in contrast with conventional sintering method, offers rapid heating, makes homogenous composition and hence improves the hydrogen storage properties of the composite.

Research highlights▶ To evaluate the feasibility of microwave sintering approach for synthesizing Nd1.5Mg17Ni0.5–Fe3O4 composite. ▶ To investigate the effects of microwave sintering on the microstructure, hydriding/dehydriding thermodynamic and kinetic properties of this composite.