Effect of activated alloys on hydrogen discharge kinetics of MgH2 nanocrystals

Activated alloys synthesized by arc-melting were examined as catalysts for improving the hydrogen sorption characteristics of nanostructured magnesium hydride, proposed as a reversible hydrogen storage material. The MgH2-catalyst absorbing materials were prepared by ball milling of pure MgH2 with hydrided Zr47Ni53, Zr9Ni11, and other investigated alloys. The nanostructured MgH2-intermetallic systems were tested at 250 °C and catalyst addition of eutectoid Zr47Ni53 resulted in the fastest desorption time and highest initial desorption rate. Also, the catalyzed Mg-hydride with activated Zr9Ni11 and Zr7Ni10 phases showed fast desorption kinetics. Moreover, the results demonstrated that the composition of dispersed ZrxNiy catalysts has a strong influence on the amount of accumulated hydrogen and desorption rate of Mg-nanocomposite.