Magnesium Composite Material for Faster Hydrogen Uptake and Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current hydrogen carriers lack improved hydrogenation and dehydrogenation properties, such as high reversible capacity, rate, and working temperature, which are essential for efficient hydrogen storage and release.

Innovation Solution

A magnesium-based composite material is developed, comprising a magnesium-based solid solution and an amorphous additive. The solid solution includes magnesium, catalytic metals like aluminum and zinc, and carbon allotropes, while the amorphous additive contains catalytic metals and carbon allotropes. This composite is formed through a process involving casting, severe plastic deformation, and high-energy ball milling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional hydrogen carriers are used, then the system is simple and easy to manufacture, but the hydrogenation and dehydrogenation properties (reversible capacity, rate, and working temperature) are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrogenation and dehydrogenation propertiesVSAvoidcomposite material structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite materials by combining magnesium-based solid solution with amorphous additive containing catalytic metals and carbon allotropes. This composite structure enhances hydrogenation and dehydrogenation properties through the synergistic effects of different components, directly resolving the contradiction between material performance and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by incorporating specific catalytic metals (Al, Zn, Zr, Ni, Ti, V, Cr, Co, Fe, Cu, Mo, Nb, Pd, Y) and carbon allotropes at controlled concentrations (e.g., catalytic metal 1-9 wt%, carbon allotrope 1-3 wt%) within the magnesium-based solid solution. This localized enhancement of specific regions with catalytic properties improves overall hydrogen storage performance without uniformly complicating the entire material structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If the amorphous additive content is increased to improve hydrogen storage capacity, then the reversible hydrogen storage capacity increases, but the material complexity and processing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereversible hydrogen storage capacityVSAvoidprocessing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the weight percentage of amorphous additive within 1-15 wt% to achieve the desired reversible hydrogen storage capacity (6-7 wt%) while maintaining manufacturability. This parameter optimization allows tuning of hydrogen storage capacity without excessive material complexity, balancing performance requirements with processing ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If multiple catalytic metals and carbon allotropes are incorporated to enhance hydrogen absorption and desorption rates, then the hydrogenation and dehydrogenation properties improve, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrogen absorption and desorption ratesVSAvoidcomposition control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs homogeneity by creating a uniform distribution of catalytic metals and carbon allotropes within the magnesium-based solid solution matrix. This homogeneous composite structure ensures consistent hydrogen absorption and desorption rates throughout the material, reducing variability and simplifying manufacturing quality control despite the multi-component composition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The magnesium-based composite material exhibits enhanced hydrogenation and dehydrogenation properties, including a maximum reversible hydrogen storage capacity of 6-7 wt%, hydrogen absorption and desorption rates of 2-4 wt% per minute and 0.25-1.25 wt% per minute, respectively, and a working temperature range of 300-400 °C.

Implementation Method 1

The magnesium-based composite material of the present disclosure has better hydrogenation and dehydrogenation properties

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrogenation: Hydrogenation

Implementation Method 2

The magnesium-based composite material of the present disclosure has better hydrogenation and dehydrogenation properties

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDehydrogenation: Hydrogenation

Implementation Method 3

The magnesium-based solid solution includes magnesium, at least one first catalytic metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, zinc, zirconium, nickel, titanium, vanadium, chromium, cobalt, iron, copper, molybdenum, niobium, palladium, and yttrium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentEP4516727A1Magnesium-based composite material and method of forming the same
Publication Date: 2025.03.05 ATW TECH INC
  • EP4516727A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4516727A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2D
  • EP4516727A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a magnesium-based composite material and a method of forming the same. The method includes performing a casting process on magnesium, at least one first catalytic metal, and at least one first carbon allotrope to form a first magnesium-based solid solution; performing a severe plastic deformation on the first magnesium-based solid solution to form a second magnesium-based solid solution; and performing a high energy ball milling process on the second magnesium-based solid solution and an amorphous additive to form the magnesium-based composite material. The magnesium-based composite material includes a magnesium-based solid solution and the amorphous additive mixed with the magnesium-based solid solution. The magnesium-based solid solution includes magnesium, at least one first catalytic metal and at least one first carbon allotrope. The amorphous additive includes at least one second catalytic metal and at least one second carbon allotrope.