Reversible Storage of Hydrogen in Destabilized LiBH4

Destabilization of LiBH4 for reversible hydrogen storage has been studied using MgH2 as a destabilizing additive. Mechanically milled mixtures of LiBH4 + (1/2)MgH2 or LiH + (1/2)MgB2 including 2-3 mol % TiCl3 are shown to reversibly store 8-10 wt % hydrogen. Variation of the equilibrium pressure obtained from isotherms measured at 315-400 degrees C indicate that addition of MgH2 lowers the hydrogenation/dehydrogenation enthalpy by 25 kJ/(mol of H2) compared with pure LiBH4. Formation of MgB2 upon dehydrogenation stabilizes the dehydrogenated state and, thereby, destabilizes the LiBH4. Extrapolation of the isotherm data yields a predicted equilibrium pressure of 1 bar at approximately 225 degrees C. However, the kinetics were too slow for direct measurements at these temperatures.