Storage of hydrogen in hydride form - using mixt. of magnesium and a component contg. cerium

摘要

Storage of H2 in metal hydride form is effected by contacting H2 with a mixt. of Mg and >=1 other metal and/or alloy capable of absorbing H2. The improvement lies in the fact that the mixt. contains Ce or a Ce-based alloy. Also claimed are metal hydride mixts. produced by the above process, and their use as an H2 fuel source for engines or other energy convertors or receivers. The metal hydride mixts. are esp. useful as H2 sources for heat engines and electrochemical devices, e.g. fuel cells. Suitable Ce-contg. components are inexpensive and greatly increase the rate of H2 absorption compared with Mg alone.