Facile synthesis of a Ni3S2@C composite using cation exchange resin as an efficient catalyst to improve the kinetic properties of MgH2

Carbon materials have excellent catalytic effects on the hydrogen storage performance of MgH2. Here, carbon-supported Ni3S2 (denoted as Ni3S2 @C) was synthesized by a facile chemical route using ion exchange resin and nickel acetate tetrahydrate as raw materials and then introduced to improve the hydrogen storage properties of MgH2. The results indicated the addition of 10 wt.% Ni3S2 @C prepared by macroporous ion exchange resin can effectively improve the hydrogenation/dehydrogenation kinetic properties of MgH 2. At 100 degrees C, the dehydrogenated MgH2 -Ni3S2 @C-4 composite could absorb 5.68 wt.% H 2. Additionally, the rehydrogenated MgH2-Ni3S2@C-4 sample could release 6.35 wt.% H-2 at 275 degrees C. The dehydrogenation/hydrogenation enthalpy changes of MgH 2-Ni 3 S 2@C-4 were calculated to be 78.5 kJ mol(-1)/-74.7 kJ mol(-1), i.e., 11.0 kJ mol(-1) /7.3 kJ mol(-1) lower than those of MgH2. The improvement in the kinetic properties of MgH2 was ascribed to the multi-phase catalytic action of C, Mg 2Ni, and MgS, which were formed by the reaction between Ni3S2 contained in the Ni3S2 @C catalyst and Mg during the first hydrogen absorption-desorption process. (c) 2021 Chongqing University. Publishing services provided by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of KeAi Communications Co. Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/) Peer review under responsibility of Chongqing University

Automated summary

Carbon-supported Ni3S2 catalyst can effectively improve the hydrogen storage performance of MgH2, enhancing its hydrogenation/dehydrogenation kinetics and hydrogen absorption/release capacities. The improvement is attributed to the multi-phase catalytic action of C, Mg2Ni, and MgS formed by the reaction between Ni3S2 and Mg.