Crystal Structure and Cyclic Hydrogenation Property of Pr4MgNi19

The hydrogen absorption–desorption property and the crystal structure of Pr4MgNi19 was investigated by pressure–composition isotherm measurement and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Pr4MgNi19 consisted of two phases: 52.9% Ce5Co19-type structure (3R) and 47.0% Gd2Co7-type structure (3R). Sm5Co19-type structure (2H) and Ce2Ni7-type structure (2H) were not observed in the XRD profile. The Mg atoms substituted at the Pr sites in a MgZn2-type cell. The maximum hydrogen capacity reached 1.14 H/M (1.6 mass%) at 2 MPa. The hysteresis factor, Hf = ln­(Pabs/Pdes), was 1.50. The cyclic hydrogenation property of Pr4MgNi19 was investigated up to 1000 absorption–desorption cycles. After 250, 500, 750, and 1000 cycles, the retention rates of hydrogen were reduced to 94%, 92%, 91%, and 90%, respectively. These properties were superior to those of Pr2MgNi9 and Pr3MgNi14.