Hydrogen Generation by Hydrolysis of the Ball Milled Al-C-KCl Composite Powder in Distilled Water

In the present investigation, the Al-C-KCl composite powders were prepared by a ball milling processing in an attempt to improve the hydrogen evolution capacity of aluminum in water. The results showed that the hydrogen generation reaction is affected by KCl amount, preparation processing, initial aluminum particle size and reaction temperature. Increasing KCl amount led to an increased hydrogen generation volume. The use of aluminum powder with a fine particle size could promote the aluminum hydrolysis reaction and get an increased hydrogen generation rate. The reaction temperature played an important role in hydrogen generation rate and the maximum hydrogen generation rate of 44.8 cm3 min-1g-1of Al was obtained at 75oC. The XRD results identified that the hydrolysis byproducts are bayerite (Al(OH)3) and boehmite (AlOOH).