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Updated: May 26, 2026
06:32
A Simple, Low-cost, and Robust System to Measure the Volume of Hydrogen Evolved by Chemical Reactions with Aqueous Solutions
Published on: August 17, 2016
Ni-Induced Novel Multi-Al-Alloys for Efficient and On-Demand Hydrolysis-Based Hydrogen Generation
Osman Kahveci1,2,3, Tuncay Karaaslan1, Abdullah Akkaya2,4
1Faculty of Science, Physics Department, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38039, Turkey.
ACS Omega
|May 25, 2026
Summary
Adding nickel to aluminum alloys significantly boosts hydrogen generation from water. This research enhances clean energy production by improving alloy performance for safe, on-demand hydrogen fuel.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Renewable Energy
Background:
- Aluminum-water reactions offer a safe, on-demand hydrogen generation pathway.
- Passive oxide layer formation hinders reaction kinetics in aluminum hydrolysis.
- Developing advanced aluminum alloys is crucial for efficient hydrogen production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of nickel (Ni) doping on the hydrogen generation performance of Al-Zn-Si alloys.
- To explore how Ni addition influences the microstructure and electrochemical properties of aluminum alloys.
- To enhance the kinetics and efficiency of hydrogen production via aluminum hydrolysis.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of novel quaternary Al-Zn-Si-Ni alloys with varying Ni content (0.1 and 0.5 wt%).
- Comprehensive structural, surface, and electrochemical characterization techniques.
- Analysis of hydrogen generation rates and apparent activation energy.
Main Results:
- Nickel addition promoted Al-Si-Ni and Al-Ni secondary phases, enhancing microstructure and electrochemical activity.
- The hydrogen generation rate increased 2.3 times with 0.5 wt% Ni compared to Ni-free alloys.
- Apparent activation energy decreased significantly, indicating accelerated reaction kinetics, with lower charge-transfer resistance and reduced passivation.
Conclusions:
- Nickel doping effectively activates aluminum alloys for rapid and efficient hydrogen production.
- Microstructural and electrochemical modifications induced by Ni enhance galvanic activation and hydrogen generation rates.
- These findings offer practical insights for manufacturing advanced aluminum alloys for on-demand hydrogen applications.
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