We have performed a systematic analysis of magnesium hydride oxidation by water in presence of several transition, non-transition metals and ammonia halides. It was observed that the most effective catalysts of the process are ammonia chloride and bromide, magnesium chloride and a few mixed salts: magnesium chloride mixed with aqueous solutions of ammonium, copper or potassium chlorides. It was observed that solution amount impacts the reaction rate, but not the overall hydrogen yield. The fastest MgH2 oxidation (120 min to completion; similar to 100% hydrogen yield) was observed when it was activated by the mixture of MgCl2 and NH4Cl). (C) 2019 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.