An ultra-thin layer of V has been coated onto the surface of individual Mg nanoblades by dynamic shadowing growth. This 2.25 at% V decorated Mg nanoblade array can absorb and desorb hydrogen rapidly at temperatures T≥ 500 K after activation by one hydrogen cycle, with a low hydrogen absorption activation energy of 35.0 ± 1.2 kJ per mol H2 and a desorption activation energy of 65.0 ± 0.3 kJ per mol H2. The improved hydrogen sorption kinetics is attributed to both the catalytic effect of the V coating and the unique nanoblade morphology with a large surface area and small hydrogen diffusion length.
