Structure and electrochemical hydrogen storage behaviors of Mg–Ce–Ni–Al-based alloys prepared by mechanical milling

Abstract

The influences of milling time and Ce content on the electrochemical property and microstructure of as-milled Mg1−xCexNi0.9Al0.1 (x = 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08) + 50 wt%Ni alloys were investigated systematically. The as-milled alloys have an outstanding activation property. The cycle stability conspicuously grows up with milling time and Ce proportion increasing. The capacity retention rate at 100th cycle of x = 0.02 alloy augments from 47% to 63% when prolonging milling time from 5 to 30 h and it grows from 55% to 82% for the 30 h milled alloy with Ce content growing from 0 to 0.08. The discharge capacity of x = 0.02 alloy grows up invariably with milling time prolonging, while that of the 30 h milled alloys has the maximal value of 578.4 mAh/g with Ce content increasing. Moreover, the electrochemical kinetic properties of alloys significantly improve with milling duration extending, while they have the maximal values with Ce proportion varying.