AlH 3 as a hydrogen storage material: recent advances, prospects and challenges

Abstract Aluminum hydride (AlH 3 ) is a covalently bonded trihydride with a high gravimetric (10.1 wt%) and volumetric (148 kg·m −3 ) hydrogen capacity. AlH 3 decomposes to Al and H 2 rapidly at relatively low temperatures, indicating good hydrogen desorption kinetics at ambient temperature. Therefore, AlH 3 is one of the most prospective candidates for high‐capacity hydrogen storage materials. Firstly, this review briefly summarizes the basic chemical and physical characteristics of AlH 3 . Then, its synthesis, dehydrogenation thermodynamics and kinetics, regeneration and methods for improving reversibility of hydriding are described with the aim of applying this material for hydrogen storage. In accordance with the fact that AlH 3 is generally formed by reacting Al with H 2 at extremely high hydrogen pressure, the high‐pressure study of this hydride is discussed in detail. Finally, the advantages, weaknesses, critical technical challenges and outlook of this field are discussed.