Hydriding–dehydriding properties of crystalline and amorphous La1.8Ca0.2Mg16Ni alloy

Mechanical milling technology was used to treat the cast La1.8Ca0.2Mg16Ni ingot. The milled alloy was analyzed through XRD, TEM, SEM. The alloy was changed from crystalline into amorphous after 40 h of milling. The amorphous La1.8Ca0.2Mg16Ni alloy shows much better desorption kinetics than the crystalline alloy and has a higher hydrogen storage capacity. But the incubation period for hydriding of the alloy increases. Some powder of alloy Mg2Ni was added into La1.8Ca0.2Mg16Ni and grinded together. The amorphous La1.8Ca0.2Mg16Ni+10 wt% Mg2Ni alloy shows an improved activation property.