Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
1281970 | International Journal of Hydrogen Energy | 2013 | 11 Pages |
In this work, the electrochemical hydriding method was used for storing hydrogen in four binary Mg–Ni (Ni content from 15 to 34 wt.%) alloys and one ternary Mg–26Ni–12Mm alloy. Both the as-cast and powdered alloys were hydrided in a 6 M KOH solution at 80 °C for 120–480 min. The structures and phase compositions of the alloys, both before and after hydriding, were studied using optical and scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometry and X-ray diffraction. Differential scanning calorimetry and mass spectrometry were used to study the dehydriding process. In the case of as-cast alloys, the best combination of hydriding parameters (maximum hydrogen concentration on surface; depth of hydrogen penetration) was achieved in the Mg–26Ni alloy. In the case of powdered alloys, the Mg–34Ni alloy absorbed the highest amount of hydrogen, nearly 4.5 wt.%. The only hydride formed during hydriding was the MgH2 hydride. The results of the mass spectrometry analysis reveal a significant thermodynamic destabilization of magnesium hydride due to Ni and Mm. The decomposition temperature of MgH2 was reduced by more than 200 °C. The results are discussed in relation to the electronic structure and atomic size of the alloying elements and the structural variations in the alloys.
► Maximum hydrogen concentration in the hydrided Mg–34Ni alloy mixed with carbonyl nickel is 4.5 wt.%. ► H-rich MgH2 phase predominates after electrochemical hydriding of powdered Mg–Ni–Mm alloys. ► MgH2 is destabilized by the fine structure and by alloying elements and begins its decomposition at 180 °C.