Research Projects

This study aims to design a novel Mg-based nanocomposite for hydrogen storage, overcoming the challenges of poor H-sorption kinetics and high H-release temperature. Mg is prone to oxidation, and its surface oxide is amorphous and non-stoichiometric with oxygen vacancies as point defects. MgH₂ is a promising material for onboard vehicular hydrogen storage with 7.6 wt% H-capacity and excellent reversibility. However, poor H-sorption kinetics and high H-release temperature hinder its application. The study will use non-stoichiometric magnesium oxide, V₂O₅, and Nb₂O₅ to enhance H-sorption kinetics. Oxidation of Mg will be controlled by adding MXene and rGO, which will be mixed in various proportions and ball milled for varied times. The practical difficulty will be addressed by monitoring Mg-oxidation extent from surface oxidation states through XPS. MXene can also catalyze and participate in H-sorption through the Kubas effect. rGO can catalyze H-release and absorb hydrogen, enhancing the gravimetric capacity of these materials. The scientific difficulty of transition-state identification will be addressed through primitive characterization through XRD, electron microscopy, FTIR, XPS, and Raman. Advanced characterization will be conducted using electron density maps, EELS, EXAFS, Neutron Diffraction, and Bragg Coherent Diffraction Imaging (BCDI). Synchrotron facilities will be accessed by securing beamtime.

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