Investigations on hydrogen storage properties of Mg{sub 2}Ni+x wt% LaMg{sub 2}Ni (x=0, 10, 20, 30) composites

Mg{sub 2}Ni+x wt% LaMg{sub 2}Ni (x=0, 10, 20, 30) composites have been prepared by ball milling Mg{sub 2}Ni and LaMg{sub 2}Ni hydrides. X-ray Diffraction indicates that the composites consist of LaH{sub 3} and Mg{sub 2}NiH{sub 4} phases. Mg{sub 2}NiH{sub 4} phase transforms between with Mg{sub 2}Ni phase during hydriding/dehydriding cycling, while the LaH{sub 3} phase exists still after dehydriding process. Backscatter Electron results reveal that the LaH{sub 3} phase, which is decomposed from hydrided LaMg{sub 2}Ni, distributes in Mg{sub 2}Ni alloy homogeneously after ball milling procedure. Hydriding/Dehydriding measurements indicate significant improvement in reversible hydrogen storage properties of the composites over Mg{sub 2}Ni at low temperature. At 473 K, the hydrogen storage capacity of Mg{sub 2}Ni+20 wt% LaMg{sub 2}Ni composite reaches 3.22 wt% and can reversely desorb hydrogen completely, while the pure Mg{sub 2}Ni hydride is hardly desorbs hydrogen at this temperature. The improvement in the hydrogen storage properties is attributed to the existence of LaH{sub 3} phase in the composites. - Graphical abstract: The Mg{sub 2}Ni + x wt% LaMg{sub 2}Ni (x=10, 20, 30) composites display enhancement on reversible hydrogen storage properties compared with that of pure Mg{sub 2}Ni. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Tittle La is introduced into Mg{sub 2}Ni alloy withoutmore » multiphase created. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer La is introduced into Mg{sub 2}Ni by hydrogen decomposed ball-milling. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Reversible hydrogen storage properties at low temperature are improved. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Hydrogen storage capacity of composites is beyond 3 wt% at 473 K.« less