Magnesium based multi-metallic hybrids with soot for hydrogen storage

Abstract

Magnesium hydride is one of the most sought-after materials for solid state hydrogen storage due to its low cost and high gravimetric capacity (7.6 wt% hydrogen). However, high temperature of desorption (>350 °C) and slow kinetics limit its use for commercial on-board applications. In this work, accumulative roll bonding (ARB) technique has been utilized to synthesise Mg–LaNi5–Mg2Ni-soot hybrid with enhanced hydrogen storage properties. It is seen that the hybrid absorbs ∼6.2 wt% hydrogen at a plateau pressure of ∼2 bar at 300 °C and exhibits fast kinetics with ∼6.6 wt% hydrogen absorption within ∼30 min at 300 °C and 20 bar hydrogen pressure. The role of Mg2Ni as a catalyst as well as hydrogen absorbing medium provides an effect akin to ‘hydrogen pump’, thus enhancing the rate of hydrogen absorption. Presence of carbon in various forms such as aciniform, carbonaceous microgel and cenospheres (derived from soot) plays a vital role by providing channels for diffusion of hydrogen through the hybrid. The ARB technique provides an inexpensive and scalable method of synthesis of Mg based hybrids with large number of interfaces and high amount of strain leading to enhanced hydrogen storage properties.