Influence of carboxymethylcellulose sodium salt (CMC) and carboxymethylcellulose-formate (CMC-f) binders on the cyclability of a MgH2–33.3% CMC type binder–33.3%C t,x electrodes has been investigated for the first time. These electrodes show a large reversible capacity of 1800–1900mAhg−1 at an average voltage of 0.5V vs. Li+/Li° which is suitable for the negative electrode in lithium-ion batteries. Moreover, addition of CMC or CMC-f binder with C t,x carbon leads to an improved capacity retention with 240mAhg−1 and 542mAhg−1, respectively, compare to 174mAhg−1 for MgH2–18%C t,x after 40 cycles.