Nanosizing enhancement of hydrogen storage performance and mechanism in Mg-based materials: Nano-substrate modulation, nano-catalyst construction, and nano-catalytic mechanisms

Abstract

The magnesium-based materials are acknowledged as one of the most promising solid-state hydrogen storage mediums, attributed to their superior hydrogen storage capacity. Nevertheless, challenges such as sluggish kinetics, thermodynamic stability, inadequate cycling stability, and difficulties in activation impede the commercial utilization of Mg-based composites. Research indicates that reducing material dimensions to the nanoscale represents an efficacious strategy to address these issues. In this work, we systematically analyze the impact of nanosizing on Mg-based composites from three perspectives: nano-substrate modulation, nano-catalyst construction, and nano-catalytic mechanism. This analysis aims to provide guidance for the optimization and development of nanosizing strategies. For the regulation of nanosizing of Mg-based composites, the nanosizing of multi-element micro-alloyed Mg-rich systems, the integrated synthesis of multi-element multi-component nano-catalysts, and the coexistence of multiple nano-catalytic mechanisms are proposed in the light of the current state of the art research, artificial intelligence technology, and advanced characterization technology to achieve efficient, multidimensional, and simultaneous regulation of the hydrogen storage performance of Mg-based composites. This paper also envisions future directions and potential applications, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary approaches that integrate material science, chemistry, and computational modeling to overcome existing limitations and unlock the full potential of Mg-based hydrogen storage technologies.