The effect of titanium isopropoxide (TTIP) on the kinetics of absorption and desorption of magnesium hydride was compared to the benchmark additive niobium oxide (Nb2O5). A systematic survey was performed for ball-milled MgH2 mixed with up to 2 mol% TTIP or Nb2O5 additive for different ball-milling times. It was found that TTIP was just as effective as Nb2O5 for the enhancement of the kinetics of absorption and desorption and that 0.5 mol % was sufficient. The TTIP composite sample had superior hydrogen capacity compared to the Nb2O5 composite sample. As TTIP is a liquid at room temperature, 30 min ball-milling with the magnesium hydride was sufficient time for mixing. Hand mixing the TTIP with MgH2 demonstrated excellent desorption kinetics but the absorption kinetics were poorer compared to ball-milling. Crown Copyright (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. All rights reserved.