Nanocrystalline Mg₂Ni for Hydrogen Storage

Hydrogen continues to receive increased attention as the most promising energy carrier enabling sustainable and eco-friendly energy systems. Despite the various advantages of hydrogen fuel, storing hydrogen in a light-weight and compact form is the barrier towards the commercialization of the hydrogen technologies. Thus, the availability of a reliable, inexpensive, safe and efficient hydrogen storage technology is crucial to support and foster the transition to a hydrogen-powered world. Among the possible hydrogen storage solutions, storing hydrogen in the solid-state, such as metal hydrides, is the safest and most attractive method for on-board hydrogen storage. The metal hydrides can release highly pure hydrogen, via a low-pressure endothermic process, suitable to be used directly in the hydrogen fuel cell devices. This article presents an overview of using Mg and Mg2Ni-based alloys for solid-state hydrogen storage. A review of the hydrogen storage technologies is presented first and then the most recent developments on Mg and Mg2Ni-based hydrogen storage materials are highlighted.