A first-principles study on interaction of Mg/Ni interface and its hydrogen absorption characteristics

We have investigated the interaction of Mg/Ni interface and its hydrogen adsorption characteristics using first-principles calculations to obtain a better understanding of the Mg/Ni interface as a hydrogen storage material. The smallest work of adhesion of Mg/Ni interface is 4.28 J/m² with AB stacking sequence in the studied systems. Hydrogen adsorption energy and electronic structures were evaluated to study the interaction characteristics between hydrogen and Mg/Ni interface. The hydrogen adsorption is energetically favored on all considered sites. The hydrogen atom prefers to adsorb on the tetrahedral site of the Ni side of the interface owning the lowest adsorption energy. The plane-averaged charge density and the density of states analysis indicate that the absorption of hydrogen could stabilize the Mg/Ni interface owing to the strongly bonding interactions between hydrogen atom and the host Mg and Ni atoms. Therefore, Mg/Ni interface provides a promising medium for hydrogen storage.