The hydrogenation properties and the microstructures of TiFe0.9Mn0.1Cex(x = 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06) alloys were investigated by PCT, XRD and SEWEDX. The results showed that the addition of small amount of Ce remarkably improved the activation properties of TiFe0.9Mn0.1 alloys. The alloys could start to absorb hydrogen at 353 K under the initial hydrogen pressure of 4.0 MPa without noticeable incubation time. XRD profiles and SEM observation indicated that Ce dispersing in TiFe matrix played an important role for the improvement of activation properties. The addition of Ce didn't affect the thermodynamics and the cycling properties of TiFe0.9Mn0.1 alloy. The degradation of hydrogen capacity after cycles of hydrogenation was recovered by a heat treatment at 623 K. (C) 2017 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.