Achieving highly efficient hydrogen generation and uniform Ag nanoparticle preparation via hydrolysis of Mg9Ag alloy milled under hydrogen gas

A Mg9Ag alloy is employed as a medium for both production of hydrogen and preparation of Ag nanoparticles through hydrolysis. Mg9Ag milled under H-2 exhibits very favorable structural characteristics, i.e., yielding a fine nanocrystal powder and partial hydrogen-induced phase decomposition. As a result, a hydrogen yield of 730 mL g(-1) is obtained in 25 min at 298 K, a much higher rate than produced by samples not milled or milled under argon. Moreover, the hydrolysis by-product can be recycled to obtain Ag nanoparticles by removing insoluble Mg(OH)(2) using an added HCl solution. These results show that this process provides a highly efficient method for economically produce hydrogen and Ag nanoparticles. Copyright (C) 2014, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.