Hydrogen storage properties of Mg–TiO2 composite powder prepared by arc plasma method

Abstract

Mg-based Mg–TiO2 composite powder was prepared by arc plasma evaporation of the Mg+5%TiO2 mixture followed by passivation in air. ICP, XRD and SEM techniques were used to characterize the composition, phase components and microstructure of the composite powder. The hydrogen sorption properties of the composite powder were investigated by DSC and PCT techniques. According to the data from PCT measurements, the hydrogenation enthalpy and entropy changes of the composite powder are calculated to be −71.5 kJ/mol and −130.1 J/(K·mol), respectively. Besides, the hydrogenation activation energy is determined to be 77.2 kJ/mol. The results indicate that TiO2 added into Mg by arc plasma method can act as a catalyst to improve the hydrogen sorption kinetic properties of Mg.