Preparation of the Mg₂Ni compound from ultrafine particles and its hydrogen storage properties

The Mg 2 Ni intermetallic compound was successfully prepared under 3.00 MPa hydrogen pressure at 553 K from magnesium and nickel ultrafine particles, which were obtained from a hydrogen plasma–metal reaction. A thermal treatment process under vacuum was used to obtain Mg 2 Ni. The nanometre-scale effect is thought to be the determining factor in preparing the Mg 2 Ni compound at a low temperature. The absorption and desorption properties of the obtained Mg 2 Ni compound were investigated by a conventional pressure–volume–temperature technique. It absorbed hydrogen quickly and showed excellent hydrogen storage properties at 553 K.