Mg95Sn3Zn2 alloy was prepared by mechanical alloying. The phase constituents and phase transition were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) method. The microstructure was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The hydrogen storage properties were evaluated in detail by the measurements of isothermal hydrogen absorption and desorption, and pressure-composition isotherms (PCI) using the Sieverts method. The addition of Zn benefits to extend the solubility of Sn in the Mg lattice, as a result supersaturated Mg(Sn, Zn) ternary solid solution was synthesized by mechanical alloying, which decomposed to MgH2, Sn and MgZn2 in the hydrogenating process. The in situ formed nanostructure Mg2Sn and MgZn2 have positive effects on the hydrogen absorption and desorption of Mg. Mg95Sn3Zn2 alloy showed significantly improved kinetics with lowered hydrogen absorption and desorption activation energies of 38.1 kJ/mol and 86.6 kJ/mol respectively, and exhibited a reduced dehydriding enthalpy of 67.0 +/- 1.9 kJ/(mol.H-2). (C) 2018 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.