Enhanced hydrogen reaction kinetics of nanostructured Mg-based composites with nanoparticle metal catalysts dispersed on supports

Hydrogen reaction kinetics of nanocrystalline MgH2 co-catalyzed with Ba3(Ca1+xNb2−x)O9−δ (BCN) proton conductive ceramics and nanoparticle bimetallic catalyst of Ni/Pd dispersed on single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) support has been investigated. The nanoparticle bimetallic catalysts of Ni/Pd supported by SWNTs were synthesized based on a novel polyol method using NiCl2·6H2O, PdCl2, NaOH and ethylene glycol (EG). The nanostructured Mg composites co-catalyzed with BCN and bimetallic supported catalysts exhibited stable hydrogen desorption capacity of 6.3–6.7 wt.% H2 and the significant enhancement of hydrogen desorption kinetics at 230–300 °C in comparison to either non-catalyzed MgH2 or the nanocomposite of MgH2 catalyzed with BCN.