Advancement in the Hydrogen Absorbing and Releasing Kinetics of MgH2 by Mixing with Small Percentages of Zn(BH4)2 and Ni

Zn(BH4)2 made in our former investigation and Ni were mixed with MgH2 to promote the hydrogen absorption and release features of Mg. A 96 w/o MgH2 + 2 w/o Ni + 2 w/o Zn(BH4)2 sample [named MgH2–4NZ] was prepared by milling in a planetary ball mill in a hydrogen atmosphere. The proportion of the additive was small (4 w/o) in order to increase hydrogen absorbing and releasing rates without majorly sacrificing the hydrogen-storage capacity. The hydrogen absorption and release features of the MgH2–4NZ were inspected in detail and compared with those of 99 w/o MgH2 + 1 w/o Zn(BH4)2 [named MgH2–1Z] and 95 w/o MgH2 + 2.5 w/o Ni + 2.5 w/o Zn(BH4)2 [named MgH2–5NZ] samples. The activation of the MgH2–4NZ was not required. The MgH2–4NZ had a useful hydrogen-storage capacity (the quantity of hydrogen absorbed after 60 min) of about 5.5 w/o at the first cycle. At the first cycle, the MgH2–4NZ absorbed 3.84 w/o hydrogen after 5 min and 5.47 w/o hydrogen after 60 min at 593 K in 12 bar hydrogen. The MgH2–4NZ had a higher releasing rate, larger amounts of hydrogen absorbed and released after 60 min, and a better cycling capability than the MgH2–1Z. Staying of Ni (as Mg2Ni) and a larger amount of Zn among particles is believed to have led to the better cycling capability of the MgH2–4NZ.