Microstructure and hydrogen storage characteristics of nanocrystalline Mg + x wt% LaMg sub(2Ni (x = 0-30) composites)

The nanocrystalline Mg + x wt% LaMg sub(2Ni (x = 0, 5, 10, 20, 30) composites were prepared by reactive ball-milling, their microstructure and hydrogen storage characteristics were investigated. The results show that the addition of LaMg) sub(2)Ni improves the hydriding rate and capacity. The hydriding capacity of the Mg + x wt% LaMg sub(2Ni (x = 5, 10, 20, 30) composites are all above 4.1 wt% at 120 degree C and above 4.3 wt% at 180 degree C within 6000 s. Moreover, the addition of LaMg) sub(2)Ni also improves the dehydriding performance of the composites. The main reason for the improvement of hydriding/dehydriding properties investigated by XRD and SEM shows that the synergistic effect among the multiphase nanocrystalline Mg-based structures make hydrogen easily absorbed/desorbed on the interface of the matrix.