Hydrogen production by hydrolysis from Mg rich compounds and composites NdNiMg15-Mg: How to combine fundamental and applied science?

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds Vol. 947; p. 169592
• Main Authors: Gaudin, Etienne, AlAsmar, Eliane, Bobet, Jean-Louis
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 25.06.2023; Elsevier
• Subjects: Chemical Sciences; Green hydrogen; Hydrolysis; Life cycle analysis; Light mobility; Material chemistry; Structural analysis; Hydrolysis; Light mobility; Green hydrogen; Life cycle analysis; Structural analysis; Life Cycle Analysis
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2023.169592

Composites materials Mg-NdNiMg15 can be easily obtained by directly melting pure elements. Young modulus and hardness can be varied from 43.5 to 48.8 GPa and 45–225 HV respectively. Nevertheless, the corrosion resistance of these composites is really poor, preventing a potential structural application. The use of composites Mg-NdNiMg15 for the production of hydrogen through hydrolysis is therefore obvious. The design of a prototype allowing to produce hydrogen from hydrolysis of a patented magnesium-based powder is described. The Life Cycle Analysis highlights that the presence of Ni (to favor the galvanic coupling and therefore the hydrolysis reaction) in the powder is the main drawback of this solution (especially in term of human health and resources). The use of Mg-NdNiMg15 composites allows to divide up to 2 the content of Ni compared to the patented powder and also remove the ball milling in the fabrication process. As such, it is a way to combine fundamental (new compounds, new structure) with applied science (prototype and in situ generation of hydrogen). •Industrial Mg alloys scraps can be used to produce hydrogen.•LCA reveals that Ni present huge drawback.•A prototype has been designed and loaded on a bike.•New compounds based on Mg are described with a Mg content as high as 64 wt%.