Microstructure and hydrogen storage characteristics of nanocrystalline Mg + x wt% LaMg2Ni (x = 0–30) composites

Abstract The nanocrystalline Mg +  x  wt% LaMg 2 Ni ( 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 2 Ni improves the hydriding rate and capacity. The hydriding capacity of the Mg +  x  wt% LaMg 2 Ni ( x  = 5, 10, 20, 30) composites are all above 4.1 wt% at 120 °C and above 4.3 wt% at 180 °C within 6000 s. Moreover, the addition of LaMg 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.