Electrochemical and FTIR studies of mechanically alloyed Mg2Ni

Mechanically alloyed Mg2Ni powders are prepared by a ball milling process and show the presence of small amounts of Ni, Mg, Ni(OH)(2) and Mg(OH)(2) from the X-ray diffraction. Voltammetry of the Mg2Ni powders is performed in 6M potassium hydroxide, and the hydrogen absorbing ability and surface oxidation of the alloy can be clearly seen. Voltammetry confirms the presence of a passivation film, which later breaks down at more positive potentials. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy shows the formation of the passive film as Mg(OH)(2) after potential steps in the KOH solution.