Niobium pentoxide as promoter in the mixed MgH2/Nb2O5 system for hydrogen storage: a multitechnique investigation of the hydrogen uptake

Nb2O5 is known as good promoter for adsorption/desorption kinetics of hydrogen in magnesium hydride. In this article the interaction with hydrogen of bare Nb2O5, the oxidic component of the mixed MgH2/Nb2O5 system, is investigated in various conditions (i.e. employing atomic, molecular and nascent hydrogen). The state of the hydrogen-Nb2O5 system was monitored using various techniques including: X-ray Diffraction, Electron Paramagnetic Resonance, Diffuse Reflectance UV-Vis Spectroscopy, Thermal Desorption Spectroscopy-Mass Spectrometry, Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Thermal Programmed Desorption. Niobium (V) oxide is not at all inert while interacting with hydrogen. This oxide is partially reduced by hydrogen, which is incorporated in the solid and released as both molecular hydrogen and water. This peculiar behaviour, reminiscent of some properties of the bronze family, suggests an active chemical role played by Nb2O5 in the mixed MgH2/Nb2O5 system.