Catalytic effect of EG and MoS₂ on hydrolysis hydrogen generation behavior of high-energy ball-milled Mg-10wt.%Ni alloys in NaCl solution—A powerful strategy for superior hydrogen generation performance

In this study, the metallurgical melting Mg-10wt.%Ni (Mg10Ni) alloy is firstly modified by high-energy ball milling (HEBM) and then surface catalysts expanded graphite (EG) or MoS₂ or EG-MoS₂ are introduced to prepare Mg10Ni-M (M = EG, MoS₂, and EG-MoS₂) composites. The effects of surface catalysts on hydrolysis hydrogen generation of HEBM Mg10Ni alloy are comprehensively investigated. Their kinetics, rate-limiting steps, and apparent activation energies are investigated by fitting the hydrolysis curves at different temperatures. The results indicate that the total hydrogen generation capacities of prepared Mg10Ni-M (M = EG, MoS₂, and EG-MoS₂) composites are 200, 170, 674, and 720 mL·g⁻¹ within 1 minute at 291 K. The capacity and yield of Mg10Ni are 500 mL·g⁻¹ and 56% within 15 minutes. The surface catalysts EG or MoS₂ or EG-MoS₂ can distinctly elevate the initial H₂ produce rate and promote the complete hydrolysis process. The highest capacity and generation yield within 15 minutes are 740.8 mL·g⁻¹ and 91% obtained by HEBM Mg10Ni-EG-MoS₂ composite at 291 K. The surface catalysis can promote high generation yield of Mg10Ni alloy in a short time.