A strategy of low-angle orientation dendrite interface-high index planes-which prepared by super-high pressure (SHP) technique, is proposed and successfully improved the hydrogen storage properties of Mg based materials for the first time, wherein a simple binary Mg-Ni alloy is used as a sample to elucidate its related mechanisms. The phase composition, morphology variation and hydrogen storage properties of the as-cast and SHP Mg-5Ni alloys in the temperature range of 1100-1600 degrees C are systemically investigated. The reversible hydrogen storage capacities and plateau hydrogen pressure of the as-cast and SHP alloys are close due to the same hydrogen storage phases (Mg and Mg2Ni). Note that although SHP treatment at 1600 degrees C has a large weight fraction of Mg6Ni compound, it still effectively reduces the onset temperature of dehydriding (similar to 262 degrees C), as well as improves the hydrogen desorption kinetics at low temperatures and structural integrity. The low onset temperature and outstanding hydrogen sorption/desorption kinetics are mainly associated with the formation of a large number of dendrite interface, in which the hydrogen atoms readily occur "zig-zag" jumps along {11-20} prismatic planes. This dendrite interface of high index planes which prepared by SHP technique paves a new pathway to enhance the hydrogen storage performances of magnesium based alloys. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.