Microstructure and hydrogen storage properties of the laser sintered alloy

The Mg 2 Ni hydrogen storage samples were prepared by the laser sintering method. Before laser sintering, the Mg and Ni powders were pre-mixed by pestle milling (sample PM) or ball milling (sample BM). The microstructures and hydrogen storage properties of the laser sintered Mg 2 Ni samples were investigated. The sintered samples contained Mg 2 Ni and small amount of MgNi 2 , Mg, Ni and MgO. Compared with the sample PM, the amounts of Mg 2 Ni and MgNi 2 reduced and the amounts of Mg and Ni increased in the sample BM. The laser sintered Mg 2 Ni samples can be activated easily at 573 K. The maximum hydrogen storage capacities of the PM and BM samples were 3.23 and 3.44 wt%, respectively.