Nanosize effect on the hydrogen storage properties of Mg-based amorphous alloy

Abstract

Mg85Ni14Ce1 amorphous alloy films with different thicknesses, including 500 nm, 300 nm, 250 nm and 50 nm, are prepared by DC magnetron sputtering. The nanosize effect on the hydrogen desorption and cycling properties is studied. As the size decreases, hydrogen storage kinetics greatly increase. Moreover, the nanosized amorphous alloys reversibly absorb and desorb hydrogen with almost unchanged desorption kinetics at a low temperature of 120 °C. The structure of amorphous alloy can be fully recovered after hydrogen absorption and desorption cycles. It is shown that nanosized amorphous alloys are promising candidates for reversible hydrogen storage applications at moderate temperatures.