The hydrolysis yield and rate significantly increase in the ball milled nanocomposites of MgH2 containing graphene-like materials (GLM) due to: (i) decrease of particle size and increase of number of defects in the material, (ii) stabilising the nanoparticles of MgH2 and preventing their agglomeration, and (iii) encapsulating the MgH2 particles that inhibits their oxidation during handling the material. Further improvements were observed when the GLM additives were doped with nano-nickel catalyst.