LAUSR

Abstract Mg 95 Sn 3 Zn 2 alloy was prepared by mechanical alloying. The phase constituents and phase transition were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) method. The microstructure was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The hydrogen storage properties were evaluated in detail by the measurements of isothermal hydrogen absorption and desorption, and pressure-composition isotherms (PCI) using the Sieverts method. The addition of Zn benefits to extend the solubility of Sn in the Mg lattice, as a result supersaturated Mg(Sn, Zn) ternary solid solution was synthesized by mechanical alloying, which decomposed to MgH 2 , Sn and MgZn 2 in the hydrogenating process. The in situ formed nanostructure Mg 2 Sn and MgZn 2 have positive effects on the hydrogen absorption and desorption of Mg. Mg 95 Sn 3 Zn 2 alloy showed significantly improved kinetics with lowered hydrogen absorption and desorption activation energies of 38.1 kJ/mol and 86.6 kJ/mol respectively, and exhibited a reduced dehydriding enthalpy of 67.0 ± 1.9 kJ/(mol·H 2 ).