The as-cast magnesium-nickel-cerium (Mg-Ni-Ce) alloys with nominal component (Mg-10 wt% Ni) 1-x Ce x (x = 0, 5, 10, 15 wt%) are optimized by highenergy ball milling (HEBM). Expandable graphite (EG) and molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ) have been introduced as surface catalysis to form (Mg10Ni) 95 Ce 5 -5 wt% EG-5 wt% MoS 2 composite. The synergetic effects of HEBM and catalysts on H 2 production of (Mg10Ni) 95 Ce 5 are comprehensively studied. The thermodynamics are studied by H 2 generation curves fitting. The HEBM 0Ce, 5Ce, 10Ce and 15Ce alloys at 291 K can generate 530, 747, 720 and 487 mL g -1 H 2 with conversion yields of 59%, 87%, 89% and 64% in initial 15 min, respectively. The addition of surface catalysts EG-MoS 2 can further enhance the initial hydrogen generation rate and the final conversion yield within short period at room temperature. 773 mL g -1 H 2 corresponding to 95% conversion yield can be obtained by HEBM (Mg10Ni) 95 Ce 5 -EG-MoS 2 within 1 min at 291 K. The synergetic effects of HEBM and EG-MoS 2 can promote rapid initial generation rate and high conversion yield of hydrolysis hydrogen generation of (Mg10Ni) 95 Ce 5 -EG-MoS 2 composite. This work indicates a promising way to synthesize Mg-based alloys with rapid initial hydrolysis H 2 generation kinetics and high conversion yield within a short period.