Synthesis and characterization of mesoporous PdPtCr alloy and its influence on the hydrogen kinetics in MgH2

► Synthesis of PdPtCr mesoporous alloy by the reduction of chloride complexes and with the use of a surfactant solution. ► The PdPtCr alloy, ball milled with MgH2, is used in the hydrogenation tests. ► The evaluation of the hydrogen storage capacity and the absorption/desorption kinetics is performed. ► Comparison of the sample containing Pd40Pt30Cr30 catalyst with the Pd70Pt30 one. ► The sample containing 1wt.% of Pd40Pt30Cr30 presented the best hydrogen storage capacity (6.8wt.% of hydrogen). The compounds made of MgH2 and (1 and 5wt.%) Pd40Pt30Cr30 catalyst by mechanical milling were tested for their ability to absorb and desorb hydrogen. The mesoporous Pd40Pt30Cr30 was obtained by the reduction of chloride complexes and using a surfactant solution. The absorption kinetic tests showed that the MgH2+1wt.% Pd40Pt30Cr30 sample attained 90% of hydrogen capacity around 10min, at 350°C. The desorption tests showed that the MgH2+5wt.% Pd40Pt30Cr30 sample desorbed completely in about 5min at the same temperature. The highest hydrogen capacity, 6.8wt.% of H2, was determined by absorption/desorption P-C-Isotherm curves at 300°C for MgH2+1wt.% Pd40Pt30Cr30 sample. The MgH2+5wt.% Pd70Pt30 was used in the hydrogenation tests to elucidate the fact that the presence of CrCl3 in the Pd40Pt30Cr30 alloy mixed to MgH2, leads to an increase in the hydrogen total capacity of absorption.