Processing of MgH2 by extensive cold rolling under protective atmosphere

Abstract

Cold rolling can significantly increase hydrogen storage properties of Mg and its alloys. Therefore in this paper, two important cold rolling processing parameters were investigated: the amount of passes and the roll rotation frequency, which directly influence particle and crystallite sizes and thus the interfaces for hydrogenation/dehydrogenation. Extensive cold rolling was conducted with MgH2 powder as starting material under an argon atmosphere to avoid contamination. The results indicate that the cold rolled MgH2 was free from oxides even after 50 cold rolling passes. Additionally, considerable improvements in the hydrogen storage properties were achieved with higher amounts of cold rolling passes. A similar effect could also be found for higher roll rotating frequency. This beneficial outcome originated from three important aspects: the decrease of the crystallite size reaching 88% reduction after 50 passes and 82% after 35 passes with rotating frequency of 50 rpm, the refinement of particle size, and a change in the morphology of the initial MgH2 powder from granules to flakes, and ultimately to small particles.