In-situ catalyzation approach for enhancing the hydrogenation/dehydrogenation kinetics of MgH ₂ powders with Ni particles

Abstract

One practical solution for utilizing hydrogen in vehicles with proton-exchange fuel cells membranes is storing hydrogen in metal hydrides nanocrystalline powders. According to its high hydrogen capacity and low cost of production, magnesium hydride (MgH ₂) is a desired hydrogen storage system. Its slow hydrogenation/dehydrogenation kinetics and high thermal stability are the major barriers restricting its usage in real applications. Amongst the several methods used for enhancing the kinetics behaviors of MgH ₂ powders, mechanically milling the powders with one or more catalyst species has shown obvious advantages. Here we are proposing a new approach for gradual doping MgH ₂ powders with Ni particles upon ball milling the powders with Ni-balls milling media. This proposed is-situ method showed mutually beneficial for overcoming the agglomeration of catalysts and the formation of undesired Mg ₂NiH ₄ phase. Moreover, the decomposition temperature and the corresponding activation energy showed low values of 218 °C and 75 kJ/mol, respectively. The hydrogenation/dehydrogenation kinetics examined at 275 °C of the powders milled for 25 h took place within 2.5 min and 8 min, respectively. These powders containing 5.5 wt.% Ni performed 100-continuous cycle-life time of hydrogen charging/discharging at 275 °C within 56 h without failure or degradation.