Hydrogen generation performance of Al–20at%Ca alloy synthesized by mechanical alloying

A. G. Hernández-Torres; J. L. López-Miranda; I. Santos-Ramos; G. Rosas; A. G. Hernández-Torres; J. L. López-Miranda; I. Santos-Ramos; G. Rosas

doi:10.3934/matersci.2020.2.144

AIMS Materials Science

2020, Volume 7, Issue 2: 144-156. doi: 10.3934/matersci.2020.2.144

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Research article Topical Sections

Hydrogen generation performance of Al–20at%Ca alloy synthesized by mechanical alloying

1.
Facultad de Química, UNAM circuito exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, México, D. F.
2.
Centro de Física Aplicada y Tecnología Avanzada, UNAM, Boulevar Juriquilla 3001, Santiago de Querétaro, QRO,76230, México
3.
Instituto de Investigaciones en Metalurgia y Materiales, UMSNH, edificio U, ciudad universitaria, C. P. 58060, Morelia, Michoacán, México

Received: 29 January 2020 Accepted: 31 March 2020 Published: 07 April 2020

In this study, the Al–20at%Ca alloy was synthesized by mechanical alloy from the elemental powder mixture. Subsequently, the alloy particles were reacted at room temperature to determine the amount of hydrogen released. For these purposes, the powders reacted with different types of water, such as distilled water, tap water, and seawater, and also in the presence of NaCl and CaO additives. Both milled samples and reaction powders were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), FT-IR, and Raman spectroscopy (RS). The XRD patterns of the powders prepared show a nanocrystalline alloy consisting of a solid-cubic solution of Al and the tetragonal intermetallic phase CaAl₄. Studies of XRD and SEM, as well as direct measurements of H₂, indicated that the best results of H₂ generation were obtained when the alloy reacts with distilled water. Both NaCl and CaO additives improve hydrogen generation, reaching 100% efficiency in distilled water and seawater, and without induction time. Samples with a combination of NaCl and distilled water showed the best reaction times to generate the entire theoretical amount of hydrogen. The XRD and DSC–TGA standards also confirmed the presence of bayerite Al(OH)₃ as a secondary reaction product.
- hydrogen generation,
- intermetallic,
- nanostructured materials,
- mechanical alloying,
- microstructure,
- X-ray diffraction,
- scanning electron microscopy
Citation: A. G. Hernández-Torres, J. L. López-Miranda, I. Santos-Ramos, G. Rosas. Hydrogen generation performance of Al–20at%Ca alloy synthesized by mechanical alloying[J]. AIMS Materials Science, 2020, 7(2): 144-156. doi: 10.3934/matersci.2020.2.144

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Abstract

In this study, the Al–20at%Ca alloy was synthesized by mechanical alloy from the elemental powder mixture. Subsequently, the alloy particles were reacted at room temperature to determine the amount of hydrogen released. For these purposes, the powders reacted with different types of water, such as distilled water, tap water, and seawater, and also in the presence of NaCl and CaO additives. Both milled samples and reaction powders were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), FT-IR, and Raman spectroscopy (RS). The XRD patterns of the powders prepared show a nanocrystalline alloy consisting of a solid-cubic solution of Al and the tetragonal intermetallic phase CaAl₄. Studies of XRD and SEM, as well as direct measurements of H₂, indicated that the best results of H₂ generation were obtained when the alloy reacts with distilled water. Both NaCl and CaO additives improve hydrogen generation, reaching 100% efficiency in distilled water and seawater, and without induction time. Samples with a combination of NaCl and distilled water showed the best reaction times to generate the entire theoretical amount of hydrogen. The XRD and DSC–TGA standards also confirmed the presence of bayerite Al(OH)₃ as a secondary reaction product.

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