Dispersion of niquel on the microstructure in magnesium based alloys for hydrogen storage

AbstractMg–Xwt.%Ni (X = 5 and 20) alloys have been prepared by mechanical alloying using milling times of 15 and 30 h in a planetary ball milling to know the effects of magnesium with the addition of Ni as catalyst, dispersion on the microstructure, area surface and the efficiency of hydrogen storage. SEM-EDS, XRD and ImageJ® software have been used to characterize the microstructure and chemical composition of the alloys. Hydriding experiments were performed as batch-type tests at 200, 250 and 300 °C under 2 MPa H2 pressure during 30 min. These experiments resulted in varying amounts of MgH2 in the hydrided powders depending on composition and hydriding conditions. The best results point to an optimum Ni dispersion, which in turn depends on Ni content and milling time