Characterization of hydrogen storage properties of Mg-Fe-CNT composites prepared by ball milling, hot-extrusion and severe plastic deformation methods

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2016-12, Vol.41 (48), p.23092-23098
• Main Authors: de Lima Andreani, Gisele Ferreira, Triques, Maria Regina Martins, Kiminami, Claudio Shyinti, Botta, Walter Jose, Roche, Virginie, Jorge, Alberto Moreira
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Complex hydrides; Composites; Hydrogen sorption properties; Mg2FeH6; Nanotubes
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.10.095

A systematic investigation was performed on the hydrogen storage properties of mechanically prepared 2MgFe/carbon nanotube (CNT) composites. The powders were transformed into bulk form by three processing routes (hot-extrusion, cold-rolling and extrusion followed by cold-rolling). The samples were kept in air to test their resistance to oxidation. Hydrogen absorption capacity and hydriding kinetics of the composites were dependent on the quantity of added CNTs. A 5 wt% addition of CNTs is optimum to facilitate the hydrogen absorption and desorption. Single cold-rolling (CR) was found to be the best route. Compared with powder composites, samples prepared by CR presented improved kinetics, the same hydrogen capacity and a decrease in the incubation time for activation. The cold-rolled composite 2MgFe/5 wt% CNTs achieved 73% of the theoretical capacity of Mg2FeH6, and desorbs almost the same quantity. Moreover, these absorption and desorption processes occur faster than in the powders. •2Mg-Fe/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) composites were produced by several routes.•Ball milling, hot-extrusion, cold-rolling and combined processing routes were used.•Ball milling plus cold-rolling proved to be the best route.•CNTs were not destroyed after mechanical processing, bulk Mg2FeH6 was produced.•The greater the amounts of CNT (max = 5 wt%), the better the H-absorption properties.