Hydrogen Sorption Properties of the Intermetallic Mg2Ni Obtained by Using a Simoloyer Ball Milling

Intermetallic Mg2Ni was produced from elemental powder blends by mechanical alloying in a batch scale using a rotary horizontal mill (Simoloyer). Fast hydrogenation kinetics are obtained: 2.2 wt.% of hydrogen is absorbed within 10 minutes at 300 °C. Hydrogen sorption kinetics were further improved by adding Pd (1 mol%) powder as a catalyst during ball milling. Crack formation and concomitant particle size reduction was observed by scanning electron microscopy after hydrogen cycling, which is attrib uted to internal stresses in the particles.