Striking enhanced effect of PrF3 particles on Ti3C2 MXene for hydrogen storage properties of MgH2

The enhanced effect of metal catalysts is crucial to achieve advanced performance of hydrogen storage system. Rational design of catalysts with superior catalytic activity is significant to regulate the re -/hydrogenation kinetics of MgH2. Herein, Ti3C2-supported praseodymium(III) fluoride (PrF3) nanoparticles (PrF3/Ti3C2) composite was prepared by hydrothermal method, which exhibited superior catalytic activity toward hydrogen storage of MgH2. The onset temperature of dehydrogenation was reduced to 180 degrees C after adding 5 wt% PrF3/Ti3C2, corresponding to a reduction of 107 degrees C compared with pristine MgH2. About 7.0 wt % hydrogen was rapidly desorbed within 3 min at 260 degrees C and 6.6 wt% hydrogen was absorbed within 36 s at 200 degrees C for MgH2-5 wt% PrF3/Ti3C2. Moreover, MgH2-5 wt% PrF3/Ti3C2 exhibited an excellent capacity retention of 92.5% even after 10 cycles. Experimental results reveal that the electron transfer among Ti-species (Ti-0, Ti2+, and Ti3+) occurred due to the striking enhanced effect of PrF3 on Ti3C2 MXene during the reaction process, and the synergistic action between Ti-species and PrF3 are responsible for the markedly enhanced hydrogen storage properties of MgH2. This study is helpful to the design and optimization of hydrogen storage materials for mobile application. (c) 2022 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Automated summary

The PrF3/Ti3C2 composite prepared by hydrothermal method exhibits superior catalytic activity towards hydrogen storage of MgH2, reducing the dehydrogenation onset temperature and enhancing the hydrogen adsorption/desorption rate, while maintaining a high capacity retention. The enhanced effect of PrF3 on Ti3C2 MXene and the synergistic action between Ti-0, Ti2+, Ti3+ and PrF3 play important roles in improving the hydrogen storage properties of MgH2.