Effect of ball milling on hydrogen storage of Mg3La alloy

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 °C 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.