Hydrogen generation from water using Mg nanopowder produced by arc plasma method

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Hydrogen gas is a clean energy carrier with significant potential.
• Efficient and safe methods for hydrogen production are crucial for energy applications.
• Magnesium (Mg) is known to react with water, but controlled, high-yield production of hydrogen gas remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a method for easily producing hydrogen gas from water at room temperature.
• To synthesize and characterize magnesium (Mg) nanopowder for efficient hydrogen generation.
• To investigate the reaction kinetics and yield of hydrogen production using Mg nanopowder.

Main Methods:

• Magnesium nanopowder synthesized using dc arc melting in a mixed-gas atmosphere.
• Nanopowder passivation with an oxygen/argon mixture for safe handling.
• Reaction of Mg nanopowder with water at room temperature to measure hydrogen gas evolution.

Main Results:

• Mg nanopowder (30-1000 nm particles) produced hydrogen gas vigorously upon contact with water.
• The reaction yielded 110 ml of hydrogen gas per 1 g of Mg nanopowder in 600 s.
• Magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) flakes formed and detached, allowing continuous hydrogen generation.

Conclusions:

• Magnesium nanopowder offers an effective route for room-temperature hydrogen production from water.
• The passivation process ensures safe handling of the reactive nanopowder.
• This method demonstrates a practical approach to generating hydrogen fuel.