IUVSTA 15th International Vacuum Congress (IVC-15), AVS 48th International Symposium (AVS-48), 11th International Conference on Solid Surfaces (ICSS-11)
    Applied Surface Analysis Thursday Sessions
       Session AS-ThM

Paper AS-ThM6
Mechanism of the Activation of Mg@sub 2@Ni for Hydrogen Up-Take by Surface Treatment With Liquid Water and Water Vapor

Thursday, November 1, 2001, 10:00 am, Room 134

Session: Oxides and Oxidation
Presenter: J.K. Lomness, University of Central Florida
Authors: J.K. Lomness, University of Central Florida
L.A. Giannuzzi, University of Central Florida
M.D. Hampton, University of Central Florida
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Magnesium nickel alloy (Mg@sub 2@Ni) has been considered an excellent hydrogen storage medium because it has a high hydrogen capacity, forms a very stable hydride, is inexpensive, and it presents no environmental hazards. One of the major problems associated with the use of magnesium nickel alloy for hydrogen storage is its activation for initial hydrogen uptake. Traditionally, high temperatures and high pressures are needed for initial activation of this alloy. It has been discovered that treatment of Mg@sub 2@Ni with liquid water and water vapor activates the alloy for hydrogen uptake. The purpose of this paper is to present results obtained from the surface modification of Mg@sub 2@Ni with liquid water and water vapor. The data obtained suggest the presence of a hydroxide on the surface. It is believed that this is the first report of the presence of hydroxides on the surface of an active hydrogen storage alloy. Data obtained from x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy will be presented.