Hydrogen generation from hydrolysis of activated magnesium/low-melting-point metals alloys

A series of activated Mg-based alloys with low-melting-point metals (Zn, Sn, Bi, and In) are prepared by ball milling and characterized by scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction. Their hydrogen generation properties are systematically investigated in seawater and methanol. The results demonstrate that the addition of low-melting-point metals can significantly accelerate the reaction of magnesium with seawater and methanol. The alloy Mg-10%In exhibits the excellent hydrolysis properties among all the samples with the maximum hydrogen generation rate of 7.4 mL g −1  s −1 and the hydrogen conversion yield of 93% at 30 °C in seawater. The excellent hydrolysis performance of Mg-10%In can be attributed to its lower activation energy , lower corrosion potential , and higher corrosion current density. Moreover, the active preservation method of activated Mg alloys by coating dioctyl sebacate is studied.