MXene-Catalyzed Hydrogen Storage Enhancement in AZ31 Magnesium Alloy: Integration of V2C
摘要
This study investigates the catalytic effect of V2C MXene on the hydrogen storage properties of AZ31 magnesium alloy. Using high-energy ball milling, we made composites based on AZ31 with 1, 3, and 6 wt.% V2C. Microstructural studies (SEM, EDS, and XRD) validated the homogeneous distribution of V2C and the integrity of the primary Mg matrix, with only negligible interfacial phase development. The kinetics and capacity of hydrogen sorption were assessed utilizing a Sieverts-type device at temperatures ranging from 325 to 375 °C. The AZ31–1 wt.% V2C composite exhibited superior performance, attaining a hydrogen capacity of 6.64 wt.% with markedly accelerated absorption kinetics (1258 s) relative to pure AZ31 (6.14 wt.%, 2094 s) at 375 °C. Kinetic research using JMAK and reduced-time models indicated a diffusion-controlled absorption mechanism, while Arrhenius analysis suggests a significant decrease in activation energy from 159.7 kJ/mol for AZ31 to 101.7 kJ/mol for the 1 wt.% V2C composite. The findings indicate that V2C serves as an effective catalyst, promoting hydrogen dissociation and transport at the magnesium interface. When too much V2C (6 wt.%) was added, the particles stuck together, and the kinetics sped up but the reversible capacity went down. This study demonstrates that a low, regulated concentration of V2C MXene effectively improves the hydrogen storage capacity of magnesium alloys.