The formation conditions of MgB2 in 2LiBH4 ＋ MgH2 system during dehydrogenation were investigated and its mechanism was discussed. The results show that direct decomposition of LiBH4 is suppressed under relative higher initial dehydrogenation pressure of 4.0×10^5 Pa, wherein LiBH4 reacts with Mg to yield MgB2, and 9.16% （mass fraction） hydrogen is released within 9.6 h at 450 ℃. However, under relatively lower initial dehydrogenation pressure of 1.0×10^2 Pa, LiBH4 decomposes independently instead of reacting with Mg, resulting in no formation of MgB2, and 7.91% hydrogen is desorbed within 5.2 h at 450 ℃. It is found that the dehydrogenation of 2LiBH4 ＋ MgH2 system proceeds more completely and more hydrogen desorption amount can be obtained within a definite time by forming MgB2. Furthermore, it is proposed that the formation process of MgB2 includes incubation period and nucleus growth process. Experimental results show that the formation process of MgB2, especially the incubation period, is promoted by increasing initial dehydrogenation pressure at constant temperature, and the incubation period is also influenced greatly by dehydrogenation temperature.
Hydrogen storage and microstructure of ball milled Mg3La alloy were investigated by X-ray diffraction and pressure-composition-isotherm measurement. The ball milled Mg3La alloy could absorb hydrogen up to 4wt.% at 300 ℃ for the first time, along with a decomposing course. Following tests showed that the average reversible hydrogen storage capacity was 2.7wt.%. The enthalpy and entropy of dehydrogenation reaction of the decomposed ball milled Mg3La and hydrogen were calculated. XRD patterns indicated the existence of MgH2 and LaH3 in the decomposed hydride and the formation of Mg when hydrogen was desorbed. After the first hydrogenation, all the latter hydrogenation/dehydrogenation reactions could be taken place between Mg and MgH2. The ball milled Mg3La alloy exhibited better hydriding kinetics than that of the as-cast Mg3La alloy at room temperature. The kinetic curve could be well fitted by Avrami-Erofeev equation.
Mg-based hydrogen storage alloys MgNi, Mg0.9Ti0.1Ni, and Mg0.9Ti0.06Zr0.04Ni were successfully prepared by means of mechanical alloying （MA）. The structure and the electrochemical characteristics of these Mg-based materials were studied. The X-ray diffraction （XRD） result shows that the main phases of the alloys exhibit amorphous structure. The scanning electron microscopy （SEM） photograph shows that the particle size of Ti and Zr substituted alloys was about 2-4 μm in diameter. The cycle lives of the alloys were prolonged by adding Ti and Zr. After 50 charge-discharge cycles, the discharge capacity of Mg0.9Ti0.06Zr0.04Ni was 91.74% higher than that of MgNi alloy and 37.96% higher than that of Mg0.9Ti0.1Ni alloy. The main reason for the electrode capacity decay is the formation of Mg（OH）2 （product of Mg corrosion） at the surface of alloy. The potentiodynamic polarization result indicates that Ti and Zr doping improves the anticorrosion in an alkaline solution. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy （EIS） results suggest that proper amount of Ti and Zr doping improves the electrochemical catalytic activity significantly.
Mg-based hydrogen storage alloys MgNi, Mg0.9Ti0.1Ni and Mg0.9Ti0.1Ni0.9Co0.1 were successfully prepared by means of mechanical alloying （MA）. The structure and the electrochemical characteristics of these Mg-based materials were also studied. The results of X-ray diffraction （XRD） and scanning electron microscopy （SEM） show that the main phases of the alloys exhibit amorphous structures, and trace of Ni co-exists. The charge-discharge cycle tests indicate these alloys have good electrochemical active characteristics. And the cycle stability of Ti and Co doped alloy was better than that of MgNi alloy. After 50 cycle charge-discharge, the discharge capacity of the Mg0.9Ti0.1Ni0.9Co0.1 alloy was much better than that of MgNi and Mg0.9Ti0.1Ni alloys. The discharge capacity of Mg0.9Ti0.1Ni0.9Co0.1 was 102.8% higher than that of MgNi alloy, and 45.49% higher than that of the Mg0.9Ti0.1Ni alloy. During the process of charge-discharge cycle test, the main reason for the electrode capacity fading is the corrosion of Mg to Mg（OH）2 on the surface of alloys. The Tafel polarization test indicates Ti and Co improve the anticorrosion in an alkaline solution. The EIS results suggest that proper amount of Ti and Co doping improve the electrochemical catalytical activity on the Mg-based alloy surface significantly.
