Phase component, microstructure and hydrogen storage properties of the laser sintered Mg–20 wt.% LaNi5 composite

The Mg–20 wt.% LaNi5 composite was prepared by laser sintering. It was found that the composite consists mainly of Mg, Mg2Ni and LaMg12 phases. The network containing the eutectic Mg + Mg2Ni mixtures and small LaMg12 blocks surrounds the Mg particles. Thus the activation property can be improved compared with pure Mg. Moreover, two plateaus exist in the P–C isotherms, the lower one corresponding to Mg and the higher one to Mg2Ni.