Effect of TiF₃ on the hydrogen desorption property of Mg₉₅Ni₅ by hydriding combustion synthesis

Effect of TiF₃ addition as the catalyst on the hydrogen desorption property of Mg₉₅Ni₅ composites by hydriding combustion synthesis (HCS) was investigated. Addition of 1% TiF₃ (molar fraction) can get the best hydrogen desorption property for Mg₉₅Ni₅ mechanically milled for 10 h, which could desorb 5.20% (mass fraction) of H₂ in 1800 s at 523 K. The apparent activation energy of hydrogen desorption for Mg₉₅Ni₅+1%TiF₃ milled for 10 h was decreased to 86 kJ/mol from 124 kJ/mol of Mg₉₅Ni₅. Results show that catalytic effect of TiF₃ could be attributed to the formation of MgF₂ and Tix+ hydrides which destabilize the bonding of Mg-H.