Hydrogen storage properties and microstructure of melt-spun Mg90Ni8RE2 (RE = Y, Nd, Gd)

For hydrogen storage applications a nanocrystalline Mg90Ni8RE2 alloy (RE = Y, Nd, Gd) was produced by melt spinning. The microstructure in the as-cast, melt-spun and hydrogenated state was characterized by X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. Its activation, hydrogenation/dehydrogenation properties and cycle stability were examined by thermogravimetry in the temperature range from 50 °C to 385 °C and pressures up to 30 bar H2. It was found that the activated alloy can reach a reversible gravimetric hydrogen storage density of up to 5.6 wt.%-H. Furthermore, the reversible gravimetric hydrogen storage density increases with the number of hydrogenation/dehydrogenation cycles, while the dehydrogenation rate remained unchanged. This observation was attributed to the increase of the specific surface area of the ribbon due to cracking during repeated cycling. However, the microstructure of the hydrogenated alloy remained nanocrystalline throughout cycling.

► A low-cost hydrogen storage material Mg90Ni8RE2 was produced from WE54 and Ni powder. ► Melt-spun Mg90Ni8RE2 consists of Mg and Mg2(Ni,Y) nanocrystals in an amorphous phase. ► Activated Mg90Ni8RE2 can reach reversible hydrogen storage densities up to 5.6 wt.%. ► The microstructure remains nanocrystalline after several sorption cycles.