Hydrogen absorption kinetics in powdered V + 80 wt.% LaNi5 composite

•Vanadium prevents the pulverization of LaNi5.•H absorption capacity LaNi5–V composite is higher than LaNi5.•H absorption kinetics of LaNi5–V composite is relatively faster than V and LaNi5.•Fermi energy level of LaNi5–V composite lowered by vanadium addition.

The hydrogen absorption behavior of V + 80 wt.% LaNi5 composite, LaNi5 and V has been investigated. The LaNi5–V composite was prepared by high energy ball-milling technique using high pure vanadium and LaNi5 powder. Lattice expansion of the composite has been observed in X-ray analysis which indicates the solid solution formation. Presence of free V and traces of V2O5 phase were also observed in the composite. The hydrogen absorption capacity and absorption kinetics of the composite showed improvement as compared to LaNi5. The improved kinetics of the composite has been co-related to the change in lattices parameter, Fermi energy level and catalytic property of vanadium. Integrity of the composite has found to be effective even after 20 numbers of hydriding and dehydriding cycles due to the presence of vanadium.