Transformation Kinetics of LiBH4–MgH2 for Hydrogen Storage

The reactive hydride composite (RHC) LiBH₄–MgH₂ is regarded as one of the most promising materials for hydrogen storage. Its extensive application is so far limited by its poor dehydrogenation kinetics, due to the hampered nucleation and growth process of MgB₂. Nevertheless, the poor kinetics can be improved by additives. This work studied the growth process of MgB₂ with varying contents of 3TiCl₃·AlCl₃ as an additive, and combined kinetic measurements, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and advanced transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to develop a structural understanding. It was found that the formation of MgB₂ preferentially occurs on TiB₂ nanoparticles. The major reason for this is that the elastic strain energy density can be reduced to ~4.7 × 10⁷ J/m³ by creating an interface between MgB₂ and TiB₂, as opposed to ~2.9 × 10⁸ J/m³ at the original interface between MgB₂ and Mg. The kinetics of the MgB₂ growth was modeled by the Johnson–Mehl–Avrami–Kolmogorov (JMAK) equation, describing the kinetics better than other kinetic models. It is suggested that the MgB₂ growth rate-controlling step is changed from interface- to diffusion-controlled when the nucleation center changes from Mg to TiB₂. This transition is also reflected in the change of the MgB₂ morphology from bar- to platelet-like. Based on our observations, we suggest that an additive content between 2.5 and 5 mol% 3TiCl₃·AlCl₃ results in the best enhancement of the dehydrogenation kinetics.     

The role of Mg<Subscript>2</Subscript>FeH<Subscript>6</Subscript> formation on the hydrogenation properties of MgH<Subscript>2</Subscript>-FeF<Subscript>x</Subscript> composites

The hydrogenation properties of magnesium hydride mechanically milled with iron fluorides (FeF₂ and FeF₃), were investigated by Temperature Programmed Desorption (TPD) and volumetric methods using a Sieverts-type apparatus, as prepared upon dehydrogenation and finally upon subsequent hydrogenation. The activation energy of hydrogen desorption (E_a), calculated from the Kissinger formula using TPD measurements obtained with different heating rates, showed significant decreases of Ea in comparison to that of milled MgH₂ without any dopants. Moreover, the influence of these metal fluorides on the thermodynamics of the decomposition process was also examined. In the case of the FeF₂ dopant, rehydrogenation following desorption caused the complete decomposition of the iron fluoride to BCC iron and the formation of a predominant MgH₂ phase. In contrast to FeF₂, the addition of FeF₃ led to the formation of β-MgH₂ as a major phase coexisting with Mg₂FeH₆ and MgF₂ compounds. The presence of pure Fe in the MgH₂+FeF₂ composite, as opposed to MgH₂+FeF₃ containing Mg₂FeH₆ and MgF₂, did not cause any significant influence on the sorption properties of MgH₂. Moreover, the original material doped with FeF₃ predominantly showed iron in the Mg₂FeH₆ compound, while the FeF₂ dopant iron mostly showed the nearly pure BCC metallic phase      

Improved Dehydrogenation Properties of LiBH4 Using Catalytic Nickel‐ and Cobalt‐based Mesoporous Oxide Nanorods

Lithium borohydride (LiBH₄) with a theoretical hydrogen storage capacity of 18.5 wt % has attracted intense interest as a high‐density hydrogen storage material. However, high dehydrogenation temperatures and limited kinetics restrict its practical applications. In this study, mesoporous nickel‐ and cobalt‐based oxide nanorods (NiCo₂O₄, Co₃O₄ and NiO) were synthesized in a controlled manner by using a hydrothermal method and then mixed with LiBH₄ by ball milling. It is found that the dehydrogenation properties of LiBH₄ are remarkably enhanced by doping the as‐synthesized metal oxide nanorods. When the mass ratio of LiBH₄ and oxides is 1:1, the NiCo₂O₄ nanorods display the best catalytic performance owing to the mesoporous rod‐like structure and synergistic effect of nickel and cobalt active species. The initial hydrogen desorption temperature of the LiBH₄‐NiCo₂O₄ composite decreases to 80 °C, which is 220 °C lower than that of pure LiBH₄, and 16.1 wt % H₂ is released at 500 °C for the LiBH₄‐NiCo₂O₄ composite. Meanwhile, the composite also exhibits superior dehydrogenation kinetics, which liberates 5.7 wt % H₂ within 60 s and a total of 12 wt % H₂ after 5 h at 400 °C. In comparison, pure LiBH₄ releases only 5.3 wt % H₂ under the same conditions.     

Effects of Stoichiometry on the H2‐Storage Properties of Mg(NH2)2–LiH–LiBH4 Tri‐Component Systems

The hydrogen desorption pathways and storage properties of 2 Mg(NH₂)₂–3 LiH–x LiBH₄ samples (x =0, 1, 2, and 4) were investigated systematically by a combination of pressure composition isotherm (PCI), differential scanning calorimetric (DSC), and volumetric release methods. Experimental results showed that the desorption peak temperatures of 2 Mg(NH₂)₂–3 LiH–x LiBH₄ samples were approximately 10–15 °C lower than that of 2 Mg(NH₂)₂–3 LiH. The 2 Mg(NH₂)₂–3 LiH–4 LiBH₄ composite in particular began to release hydrogen at 90 °C, thereby exhibiting superior dehydrogenation performance. All of the LiBH₄‐doped samples could be fully dehydrogenated and re‐hydrogenated at a temperature of 143 °C. The high hydrogen pressure region (above 50 bar) of PCI curves for the LiBH₄‐doped samples rose as the amount of LiBH₄ increased. LiBH₄ changed the desorption pathway of the 2 Mg(NH₂)₂–3 LiH sample under a hydrogen pressure of 50 bar, thereby resulting in the formation of MgNH and molten [LiNH₂–2 LiBH₄]. That is different from the dehydrogenation pathway of 2 Mg(NH₂)₂–3 LiH sample without LiBH₄, which formed Li₂Mg₂N₃H₃ and LiNH₂, as reported previously. In addition, the results of DSC analyses showed that the doped samples exhibited two independent endothermic events, which might be related to two different desorption pathways.     

具有18电子结构的镁基过渡金属氢化物*

本文综述了近年来备受关注的具有18电子结构和高储氢容量的镁基过渡金属氢化物Mg₂NiH₄、Mg₂CoH₅和Mg₂FeH₆的研究进展,特别从材料组成、制备工艺、热力学及动力学性能等方面进行了综合评述。提出了该类金属氢化物在实际应用中存在的一些问题,如吸/放氢温度均较高,反应动力学性能较差,对于Mg₂CoH₅和Mg₂FeH₆的制备较困难,且可逆性不好。最后展望了对于具有18电子结构的镁基过渡金属氢化物在今后研究中的发展方向。     

In situ formation of TiB2 and TiH2 catalyzed Li/Mg based dual-cation borohydride with a low onset dehydrogenation temperature below 100 °C

Chemical complex borohydride is a promising hydrogen storage material due to its large gravimetric and volumetric hydrogen capacities. However, the high dehydrogenation temperature and sluggish kinetics still place strong restrictions on its practical application in the hydrogen storage field. In this work, a synergetic approach of partial cation substitution and catalysis is developed to enhance the hydrogen storage properties of LiBH₄. The Li/Mg based dual-cation borohydride (LiMg₂(BH₄)₅, LMBH) was successfully synthesized by wet chemical ball milling of LiBH₄ and MgCl₂. The optimal (LMBH (4.5:1) sample, LiBH₄ and MgCl₂ in molar ratios of 4.5:1, possesses a maximum hydrogen desorption capacity (11.27 wt%) and the outstanding initial decomposition temperature (～250 °C). Importantly, the LMBH (4.5:1) doped with TiF₃ shows a remarkable onset dehydrogenation temperature as low as 97.2 °C, which is about 190 °C lower than that of pristine LiBH₄. The LMBH (4.5:1) doped with TiF₃ system releases 7.98 wt% H₂ within 170 min below 350 °C. And the dehydrogenation product of doped composite can reversibly absorb ～4.72 wt% H₂ at a relatively moderate temperature of 280 °C, which is substantially lower than the reversible hydrogen absorption temperature of previous modified borohydride systems. Based on the structural characteristic analyses, the TiF₃ reacts with LMBH (4.5:1) to in-situ form actual catalytic components of TiB₂ and TiH₂ as the actual catalysts for LMBH (4.5:1), resulting in the improved hydrogen re/dehydrogenation properties. The synergetic modification of Li/Mg dual-cation substitution and TiB₂/TiH₂ catalysis may lead to the development of light-metal borohydrides with outstanding hydrogen storage properties.     

A prospect for LiBH<Subscript>4</Subscript> as on-board hydrogen storage

In contrast to the traditional metal hydrides, in which hydrogen storage involves the reversible hydrogen entering/exiting of the host hydride lattice, LiBH₄ releases hydrogen via decomposition that produces segregated LiH and amorphous B phases. This is obviously the reason why lithium borohydride applications in fuel cells so far meet only one requirement — high hydrogen storage capacity. Nevertheless, its thermodynamics and kinetics studies are very active today and efficient ways to meet fuel cell requirements might be done through lowering the temperature for hydrogenation/dehydrogenation and suitable catalyst. Some improvements are expected to enable LiBH₄ to be used in on-board hydrogen storage.     

Thermal analysis on C<Subscript>6</Subscript>H<Subscript>10</Subscript>Ge<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>-doped MgB<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Additives to MgB₂ can improve the superconducting functional characteristics, such as critical current density (J _c) and irreversibility field (H _irr). Recently, we have shown that repagermanium (C₆H₁₀Ge₂O₇) is an effective additive, enhancing both J _c and H _irr. To look into details of the processes taking place during the reactive sintering, a thermal analysis study (0.167 K s^?1, in Ar) is reported. We used differential scanning calorimetry between 298 and 863 K and simultaneous thermogravimetric—differential thermal analysis between 298 and 1233 K. Samples were mixtures of powders with composition 97 mol% MgB₂ and 3 mol% C₆H₁₀Ge₂O₇. Up to 863 K, repagermanium decomposes by multiple steps and forms amorphous phases. A reaction with MgB₂ is not observed. Above this temperature, partial decomposition of MgB₂ occurs. Crystalline Ge and MgO are detected before formation of Mg₂Ge and MgB₄, when temperature approaches the melting point of Ge (1211 K). Carbon substitution for boron in the crystal lattice of MgB₂ is observed for samples heated above 863 K. The amount of substitutional C does not significantly change with temperature.     

Study of Complex Formation Between Dicyclohexano-18-Crown-6 (DCH18C6) with Mg 2+, Ca2+, Sr 2+, and Ba2+ Cations in Methanol–Water Binary Mixtures Using Conductometric Method

The complexation reactions between Mg²⁺,Ca²⁺,Sr²⁺ and Ba²⁺ metal cations with macrocyclic ligand, dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 (DCH18C6) were studied in methanol (MeOH)–water (H₂O) binary mixtures at different temperatures using conductometric method . In all cases, DCH18C6 forms 1:1 complexes with these metal cations. The values of stability constants of complexes which were obtained from conductometric data show that the stability of complexes is affected by the nature and composition of the mixed solvents. While the variation of stability constants of DCH18C6-Sr ²⁺ and DCH18C6-Ba²⁺versus the composition of MeOH–H₂O mixed solvents is monotonic, an anomalous behavior was observed for variations of stability constants of DCH18C6-Mg²⁺ and DCH18C6-Ca²⁺ versus the composition of the mixed solvents. The values of thermodynamic parameters (ΔH_c°, ΔS_c°) for complexation reactions were obtained from temperature dependence of formation constants of complexes using the van’t Hoff plots. The results show that in most cases, the complexation reactions are enthalpy stabilized but entropy destabilized and the values of thermodynamic parameters are influenced by the nature and composition of the mixed solvents. The obtained results show that the order of selectivity of DCH18C6 ligand for metal cations in different concentrations of methanol in MeOH–H₂O binary system is: Ba²⁺>Sr²⁺>Ca²⁺> Mg²⁺.     

Hydrogenation of CO2 conjugated with dehydrogenation of cyclohexane over an intermetallic catalyst

Transformations of carbon dioxide catalyzed by the hydride form of [TiFe_0.95Zr_0.03Mo_0.02]H_x, by the industrial Pt/Al₂O₃ catalyst, and by a mixture of the above materials were studied. Study of the thermal desorption of H₂ showed the presence of two forms of absorbed hydrogen, namely, the weakly bound hydrogen, which is evolved from the intermetallic structure on heating to 430 °C under Ar, and the strongly bound hydrogen (SBH), which remains in the intermetallic compound at higher temperatures (up to 700 °C). In a carbon dioxide medium, the SBH enters into selective CO₂ reduction to give CO at 350—430 °C and 10—12 atm. The selectivity of the formation of CO reaches 80—99% for conversion of CO₂ between 50—70%, the SBH being consumed almost entirely for the reduction of CO₂. In the presence of the mixed catalyst, conjugate reactions proceed efficiently; dehydrogenation of cyclohexane yields hydrogen, which is consumed for CO₂ hydrogenation.     

Composition‐Dependent Reaction Pathways and Hydrogen Storage Properties of LiBH4/Mg(AlH4)2 Composites

Herein, an initial attempt to understand the relationships between hydrogen storage properties, reaction pathways, and material compositions in LiBH₄–x Mg(AlH₄)₂ composites is demonstrated. The hydrogen storage properties and the reaction pathways for hydrogen release from LiBH₄–x Mg(AlH₄)₂ composites with x=1/6, 1/4, and 1/2 were systematically investigated. All of the composites exhibit a four‐step dehydrogenation event upon heating, but the pathways for hydrogen desorption/absorption are varied with decreasing LiBH₄/Mg(AlH₄)₂ molar ratios. Thermodynamic and kinetic investigations reveal that different x values lead to different enthalpy changes for the third and fourth dehydrogenation steps and varied apparent activation energies for the first, second, and third dehydrogenation steps. Thermodynamic and kinetic destabilization caused by the presence of Mg(AlH₄)₂ is likely to be responsible for the different hydrogen desorption/absorption performances of the LiBH₄–x Mg(AlH₄)₂ composites.     

Novel theoretical studies of the dehydrogenation of LiBH2NH3

It is believed that the dehydrogenation of LiNH₂BH₃ (LAB) proceeds through a combination of the decomposition of the LiBH₂NH₃ (LBA) and LAB isomers. The dehydrogenation of LBA, an isomer of LAB, is discussed in this article. It is demonstrated that the loss of H₂ from LBA takes place in a two‐step reaction. Studies of the dehydrogenation process were performed using Møller–Plesset second‐order perturbation theory with a 6‐311++G(3df,2pd) basis set. The intrinsic reaction coordinate was calculated to determine the minimum energy paths. Finally, the rate constants were obtained using the transition‐state theory (TST), TST/Eckart, canonical variational transition‐state theory (CVT), CVT/small‐curvature tunneling correction, and CVT/zero‐curvature tunneling correction methods from 200 to 2500 K. This is the first report on a different dehydrogenation mechanism for an alkali‐metal amidoborane, and the energy barrier of LBA is much lower than that of the traditionally studied LAB. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Hydrogen-Release Reaction of a Complex Transition Metal Hydride with Covalently Bound Hydrogen and Hydride Ions

The hydrogen-release reaction of a complex transition metal hydride, LaMg₂NiH₇, composed of La³⁺, 2×Mg²⁺, [NiH₄]⁴⁻ and 3×H⁻, was studied by thermal analyses, powder X-ray, and neutron diffraction and inelastic neutron scattering. Upon heating, LaMg₂NiH₇ released hydrogen at approximately 567 K and decomposed into LaH₂₋₃ and Mg₂Ni. Before the reaction, covalently bound hydrogen (H^c°^v.) in [NiH₄]⁴⁻ exhibited a larger atomic displacement than H⁻, although a weakening of the chemical bonds around [NiH₄]⁴⁻ and H⁻ was observed. These results indicate the precursor phenomenon of a hydrogen-release reaction, wherein there is a large atomic displacement of H^c°^v. that induces the hydrogen-release reaction rather than H⁻. As an isothermal reaction, LaMg₂NiH₇ formed LaMg₂NiH_2.4 at 503 K in vacuum for 48 h, and LaMg₂NiH_2.4 reacted with hydrogen to reform LaMg₂NiH₇ at 473 K under 1 MPa of H₂ gas pressure for 10 h. These results revealed that LaMg₂NiH₇ exhibited partially reversible hydrogen-release and uptake reactions.     

Exploring Ternary and Quaternary Mixtures in the LiBH4-NaBH4-KBH4-Mg(BH4)2-Ca(BH4)2 System

Binary combinations of borohydrides have been extensivly investigated evidencing the formation of eutectics, bimetallic compounds or solid solutions. In this paper, the investigation has been extended to ternary and quaternary systems in the LiBH₄-NaBH₄-KBH₄-Mg(BH₄)₂-Ca(BH₄)₂ system. Possible interactions among borohydrides in equimolar composition has been explored by mechanochemical treatment. The obtained phases were analysed by X-ray diffraction and the thermal behaviour of the mixtures were analysed by HP-DSC and DTA, defining temperature of transitions and decomposition reactions. The release of hydrogen was detected by MS, showing the role of the presence of solid solutions and multi-cation compounds on the hydrogen desorption reactions. The presence of LiBH₄ generally promotes the release of H₂ at about 200 °C, while KCa(BH₄)₃ promotes the release in a single-step reaction at higher temperatures.     

Non-Oxidative Propane Dehydrogenation on CrOx-ZrO2-SiO2 Catalyst Prepared by One-Pot Template-Assisted Method

A series of CrO_x-ZrO₂-SiO₂ (CrZrSi) catalysts was prepared by a “one-pot” template-assisted evaporation-induced self-assembly process. The chromium content varied from 4 to 9 wt.% assuming Cr₂O₃ stoichiometry. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, SEM-EDX, temperature-programmed reduction (TPR-H₂), Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The catalysts were tested in non-oxidative propane dehydrogenation at 500–600 °C. The evolution of active sites under the reaction conditions was investigated by reductive treatment of the catalysts with H₂. The catalyst with the lowest Cr loading initially contained amorphous Cr³⁺ and dispersed Cr⁶⁺ species. The latter reduced under reaction conditions forming Cr³⁺ oxide species with low activity in propane dehydrogenation. The catalysts with higher Cr loadings initially contained highly dispersed Cr³⁺ species stable under the reaction conditions and responsible for high catalyst activity. Silica acted both as a textural promoter that increased the specific surface area of the catalysts and as a stabilizer that inhibited crystallization of Cr₂O₃ and ZrO₂ and provided the formation of coordinatively unsaturated Zr⁴⁺ centers. The optimal combination of Cr³⁺ species and coordinatively unsaturated Zr⁴⁺ centers was achieved in the catalyst with the highest Cr loading. This catalyst showed the highest efficiency.     

A Thermodynamic Study Between 18-Crown-6 with Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+and Ba2+ Cations in Water–Methanol and Water–Ethanol Binary Mixtures Using The Conductometric Method

The complexation reactions between Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺ and Ba²⁺ cations with the macrocyclic ligand, 18-Crown-6 (l8C6) in water–methanol (MeOH) binary systems as well as the complexation reactions between Ca²⁺ and Sr²⁺ cations with 18C6 in water–ethanol (EtOH) binary mixtures have been studied at different temperatures using conductometric method. The conductance data show that the stoichiometry of all the complexes is 1:1. It was found that the stability of 18C6 complexes with Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺ and Ba²⁺ cations is sensitive to solvent composition and in all cases, a non-linear behaviour was observed for the variation of log K _f of the complexes versus the composition of the mixed solvents. In some cases, the stability order is changed with changing the composition of the mixed solvents. The selectivity order of 18C6 for the metal cations in pure methanol is: Ba²⁺ > Sr²⁺ > Ca²⁺ > Mg²⁺. The values of thermodynamic parameters (Δ H _c ° and Δ S _c °) for formation of 18C6–Mg²⁺, 18C6–Ca²⁺, 18C6–Sr²⁺ and 18C6–Ba²⁺complexes were obtained from temperature dependence of the stability constants. The obtained results show that the values of (Δ H _c ° and Δ S _c °) for formation of these complexes are quite sensitive to the nature and composition of the mixed solvent, but they do not vary monotonically with the solvent composition.This revised version was published online in July 2005 with a corrected issue number.     

Sorption and desorption properties of a CaH2/MgB2/CaF2 reactive hydride composite as potential hydrogen storage material

The hydrogenation behavior of 3CaH₂+4MgB₂+CaF₂ composite was studied by manometric measurements, powder X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy. The maximum observed quantity of hydrogen loaded in the composite was 7.0 wt%. X-ray diffraction showed the formation of Ca(BH₄)₂ and MgH₂ after hydrogenation. The activation energy for the dehydrogenation reaction was evaluated by DSC measurements and turns out to be 162±15 kJ mol⁻¹ H₂. This value decreases due to cycling to 116±5 kJ mol⁻¹ H₂ for the third dehydrogenation step. A decrease of ca. 25–50 °C in dehydrogenation temperature was observed with cycling. Due to its high capacity and reversibility, this composite is a promising candidate as a potential hydrogen storage material.     

Untersuchung von Eisen(II)phosphiten im Hinblick auf die Ausbildung von Wasserstoffbindungen

Ferrous phosphites FeHPO₃·3 H₂O, FeH₂P₂O₅, FeH₄P₂O₆·1/2 H₂O and FeH₁₀P₄O₁₂·4 H₂O were studied using X-ray powder patterns, thermography, electron reflectance spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility measurements andRaman and infrared molecular spectra. The results obtained indicate that all the phosphites studied contain an approximately octahedral coordination sphere consisting of oxygen atoms, which produces a weak crystal field around the iron atom. Phosphite FeHPO₃·3 H₂O contains an HPO₃ ^2– anion with the symmetry decreased from point groupC _3v toC _s. Ferrous diphosphite FeH₂P₂O₅ contains a non-linear P–O–P bond with a valence angle of 159°. The hydrogen bonds between the water molecule and the HPO₃ ^2– anion indicate a positive hydratation of the phosphite anion. Medium-strong or strong hydrogen bonds, 258–270 pm long, correspond to mutual interactions of the anions in the crystal lattice of hydrogenphosphites. Hydrogen bonding in hydrogenphosphites causes a decrease in theDq values.

     

Synergetic Effects of In Situ Formed CaH2 and LiBH4 on Hydrogen Storage Properties of the Li–Mg–N–H System

Hydrogen storage properties and mechanisms of the Ca(BH₄)₂‐doped Mg(NH₂)₂–2 LiH system are systematically investigated. It is found that a metathesis reaction between Ca(BH₄)₂ and LiH readily occurs to yield CaH₂ and LiBH₄ during ball milling. The Mg(NH₂)₂–2 LiH–0.1 Ca(BH₄)₂ composite exhibits optimal hydrogen storage properties as it can reversibly store more than 4.5 wt % of H₂ with an onset temperature of about 90 °C for dehydrogenation and 60 °C for rehydrogenation. Isothermal measurements show that approximately 4.0 wt % of H₂ is rapidly desorbed from the Mg(NH₂)₂–2 LiH–0.1 Ca(BH₄)₂ composite within 100 minutes at 140 °C, and rehydrogenation can be completed within 140 minutes at 105 °C and 100 bar H₂. In comparison with the pristine sample, the apparent activation energy and the reaction enthalpy change for dehydrogenation of the Mg(NH₂)₂–2 LiH–0.1 Ca(BH₄)₂ composite are decreased by about 16.5 % and 28.1 %, respectively, and thus are responsible for the lower operating temperature and the faster dehydrogenation/hydrogenation kinetics. The fact that the hydrogen storage performances of the Ca(BH₄)₂‐doped sample are superior to the individually CaH₂‐ or LiBH₄‐doped samples suggests that the in situ formed CaH₂ and LiBH₄ provide a synergetic effect on improving the hydrogen storage properties of the Mg(NH₂)₂–2 LiH system.     

La-H化合物对LaMg2Ni合金中Mg2Ni相吸氢过程的影响

采用感应熔炼技术在Ar气氛保护下制备得到LaMg2Ni与Mg2Ni合金。X射线衍射(XRD)图表明LaMg2Ni合金在吸氢过程中分解为LaH3相和Mg2NiH4相,放氢过程中LaH3相转化为La3H7相。与Mg2Ni合金相比,LaMg2Ni合金显示出优良的吸氢动力学性能,这是由于镧氢化合物的存在及其在吸氢过程中所发生的相转变所造成的。LaMg2Ni合金280 s内吸氢即可达到最大储氢量的90%以上,而Mg2Ni合金则需要1200 s才能达到,且在相同温度下LaMg2Ni合金的吸氢反应速率常数大于Mg2Ni合金速率常数。镧氢化合物不仅有利于改善动力学性能,而且可以提高热力学性能。LaMg2Ni合金中的Mg2Ni相氢化反应焓与熵分别为-53.02 kJ.mol-1和84.96 J.K-1.mol-1(H2),这一数值小于单相Mg2Ni氢化反应焓与熵(-64.50 kJ.mol-1,-123.10 J.K-1.mol-1(H2))。压力-组成-温度(P-C-T)测试结果表明在603 K至523 K温度范围内,LaMg2Ni合金储氢容量保持稳定为1.95wt%左右,然而Mg2Ni合金的储氢容量则由4.09wt%衰减为3.13wt%,Mg2Ni合金的储氢容量在523K低温下仅为603 K时的76.5%,表明镧氢化合物能够改善Mg2Ni合金低温下的吸放氢性能。