Kinetic enhancement of the sorption properties of MgH2 with the additive titanium isopropoxide

The effect of titanium isopropoxide (TTIP) on the kinetics of absorption and desorption of magnesium hydride was compared to the benchmark additive niobium oxide (Nb2O5). A systematic survey was performed for ball-milled MgH2 mixed with up to 2 mol% TTIP or Nb2O5 additive for different ball-milling times. It was found that TTIP was just as effective as Nb2O5 for the enhancement of the kinetics of absorption and desorption and that 0.5 mol% was sufficient. The TTIP composite sample had superior hydrogen capacity compared to the Nb2O5 composite sample. As TTIP is a liquid at room temperature, 30 min ball-milling with the magnesium hydride was sufficient time for mixing. Hand mixing the TTIP with MgH2 demonstrated excellent desorption kinetics but the absorption kinetics were poorer compared to ball-milling.