Microstructure, hydrogen storage thermodynamics and kinetics of La5Mg95–Ni (x=5, 10, 15) alloys

Abstract

Abstract The microstructure, hydrogen storage thermodynamics and kinetics of La5Mg95–xNix (x=5, 10, 15) ternary alloys with different Ni contents were investigated. The evolutions of the microstructure and phase of experimental alloys were characterized by X-ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy. The hydrogen storage kinetics and thermodynamics, and P–C–I curves were tested using a Sievert apparatus. It is found that increasing Ni content remarkably improves hydrogen storage kinetics but reduces the hydrogen storage capacity of alloys. The highest hydrogen absorption/desorption rate is observed in the La5Mg80Ni15 alloy, with the lowest hydrogen desorption activation value being 57.7 kJ/mol. By means of P–C–I curves and the van’t Hoff equation, it is determined that the thermodynamic performance of the alloy is initially improved and then degraded with increasing Ni content. The La5Mg85Ni10 alloy has the best thermodynamics properties with a hydrogenation enthalpy of –72.1 kJ/mol and hydrogenation entropy of –123.2 J/(mol·K).