Preparation of Al-Ca alloys and their properties for hydrogen generation through hydrolysis

A novel material for fast generating hydrogen by splitting water, Al-Ca alloy, was prepared by mechanical ball-milling. In order to improve the hydrogen generation of alloy, NaCl was added as the activation modifier during the process of ball-milling. The research results show that the addition of NaCl can resist the agglomeration of alloy powder and improve hydrogen yield. The hydrogen generation rate and hydrogen yield increases with increasing NaCl addition, ball-milling time and Ca content. When the addition amount of NaCl is 7%, Al-20%Ca-7%NaCl alloy is prepared, and the hydrogen yield can reach 100% after reacting with water for 1200 s.