In this work, a Mg-Al-Li solid solution was prepared and the influence of the preparation process on its hydrogen storage properties was investigated. The Mg17Al12 (Li) solid solution was obtained by sintering, annealing at liquid nitrogen temperature and mechanical ball milling using a molar ratio of Mg:Al:LiH = 6.5:1.5:2.0. The maximum hydrogen storage capacity of the Mg17Al12 (Li) solid solution reached 3.7 wt.% at 300 degrees C in 80 min. The enthalpy of the solid solution hydride decomposition was 53 kJ mol(-1) H-2, much lower than that of bulk Mg hydride decomposition (75 kJ mori H2). The solid solution had higher hydrogen storage capacity and better hydrogen absorption kinetics than Mg17Al12 alloy. Copyright (C) 2015, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.