Catalytic effect of Ge on hydrogen desorption from MgH2

Abstract We studied the influence of Ge on hydrogen desorption from MgH 2 produced by mechanical alloying at room temperature under a hydrogen atmosphere. The structural and morphological properties, and the desorption kinetics of the products were examined by X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, thermal desorption spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The mechanical milling of Mg–Ge mixtures under hydrogen leads to the formation of Mg 2 Ge and MgH 2 . The presence of Ge decreases the hydride decomposition temperature in a range from 50 to 150°C, depending on the Ge amount. On the contrary, Mg 2 Ge does not show any effect on hydrogen desorption.