Hydrogen Storage in Metal Hydrides: Experimental Approach

Abstract

The paper deals with the destabilization methods for improving the storage properties of metal hydrides. The experimental approach was used to point out the influence of various types of defects on the structure and stability of hydrides. As a case study, Mg-based hydrides have been investigated. As shown by our research, ion irradiation is the way to introduce a well-defined concentration of defects (Frenkel pairs) at the surface and sub-surface layers of a material. Defects at the surface play the main role in sorption reactions since they enhance the dissociation of hydrogen. Further, our research shows that ball-milling introduces defects through the entire sample volume, refines the structure and thus decreases the path for hydrogen diffusion. Surface-modified material demonstrates better thermodynamic and kinetic properties than bulk modified hydride materials.