Hydrogen storage behavior of magnesium catalyzed by nickel-graphene nanocomposites

In present study nanocomposites of Graphene Like Material (GLM) and nickel containing 5–60 wt % Ni were prepared by a co-reduction of graphite oxide and Ni2+ ions. These nanocomposites served as effective catalysts of hydrogenation-dehydrogenation of magnesium based materials and showed a high stability on cycling. Composites of magnesium hydride with Ni/GLM were prepared by high-energy ball milling in hydrogen. The microstructures and phase compositions of the studied materials were characterized by XRD, SEM and TEM showing that Ni nanoparticles have size of 2–5 nm and are uniformly distributed in the composites. The kinetic curves of hydrogen absorption and desorption by the composites were measured using a Sievert's type laboratory setup and were analyzed using the Avraami – Erofeev approach

Magnesium based materials for hydrogen based energy storage: Past, present and future

Magnesium hydride owns the largest share of publications on solid materials for hydrogen storage. The “Magnesium group” of international experts contributing to IEA Task 32 “Hydrogen Based Energy Storage” recently published two review papers presenting the activities of the group focused on magnesium hydride based materials and on Mg based compounds for hydrogen and energy storage. This review article not only overviews the latest activities on both fundamental aspects of Mg-based hydrides and their applications, but also presents a historic overview on the topic and outlines projected future developments. Particular attention is paid to the theoretical and experimental studies of Mg-H system at extreme pressures, kinetics and thermodynamics of the systems based on MgH2, nanostructuring, new Mg-based compounds and novel composites, and catalysis in the Mg based H storage systems. Finally, thermal energy storage and upscaled H storage systems accommodating MgH2 are presented