An environmentally friendly magnesium (Mg)-based hydrogen (H-2) generation system was set up based on an anodic polarization reaction using mechanochemically modified Mg granule samples combined with aqueous, biodegradable, vinegar-acetic acid solutions. The composition of the vinegar-acetic acid solutions (4.0-0.8 wt%) was changed to obtain the maximum H-2 generation rate. An interpretation of the kinetic mechanisms for Nucleation Growth and Surface Area models was made, and it was concluded that mechanochemical modification changed the hydrolysis kinetics from surface area control to nucleation and growth. This led to the enhanced hydrolysis properties of the mechanochemically modified Mg granules. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.