Research Progress of Rare Earth-Based Hydrogen Storage Alloys

As a clean and efficient renewable energy, hydrogen energy will play an important role in the future energy system. The utilization of hydrogen energy involves various fields including production, application, storage and transportation, and the storage of hydrogen has become the main technical bottleneck restricting the wide application of hydrogen energy. Rare earth-based hydrogen storage alloys are promising hydrogen storage medium and have been widely used as anode materials for commercial Ni/MH batteries because of the excellent hydrogen storage and electrochemical properties. In this paper, the research progress of AB5 and R-Mg-Ni-based rare earth-based hydrogen storage alloys is described in detail. The alloy composition, preparation process, heat treatment and surface treatment process have significant influence on the comprehensive properties of rare earth-based hydrogen storage alloys. The effects of element substitution on the hydrogen storage capacity, corrosion resistance, oxidation resistance and electrochemical properties of the alloys are emphasized. This paper provides a guidance and a theoretical basis for the development and application of rare earth-based hydrogen storage materials.