High structural stability and hydrogen storage properties of nano-porous Zr-Al-Ni-Pd glassy alloy produced by electrochemical dealloying

•Nano-porous glassy Zr60Al5Ni30Pd5 alloy was prepared by electrochemical etching.•The nano-porous Ni-Pd-rich glassy alloy exhibits good hydrogen absorption capacity (5.4 wt%).•The glassy phase is maintained after the electrochemical treatment as well as hydrogenation.•The enrichment of Ni and Pd elements impacts hydrogenation kinetics significantly.•The homogeneous distribution of Ni and Pd atoms creates numerous active reaction sites for hydrogen.