Development of Metal-N-H Systems for Hydrogen Storage

The Interactions between N-H contenting chemicals and hydrides produce hydrogen. Such strong interactions enable these substances potential materials for hydrogen storage. In the previous investigations, ~ 10.5wt.% and 5.5 wt.% of hydrogen storage capacities have been achieved in lithium amide-lithium hydride and magnesium amide-lithium hydride systems, respectively.1-5 However, relatively high operating temperatures place a serious restriction onto the application of those substances. It is clear that to lower down the operation temperatures the composition and structure of the subject material have to be altered in order to sit within a suitable thermodynamic range. In the same time catalytic modification is needed to improve the kinetics of the reaction. Successful attempts were made to develop Li-based ternary systems, such as Li-Al-N-H and Li-B-N-H, in which considerable reduction in hydrogen absorption and desorption temperatures and increased storage capacity have been achieved.6 A few new structures have been developed and characterized.The Interactions between N-H contenting chemicals and hydrides produce hydrogen. Such strong interactions enable these substances potential materials for hydrogen storage. In the previous investigations, ~ 10.5wt.% and 5.5 wt.% of hydrogen storage capacities have been achieved in lithium amide-lithium hydride and magnesium amide-lithium hydride systems, respectively.1-5 However, relatively high operating temperatures place a serious restriction onto the application of those substances. It is clear that to lower down the operation temperatures the composition and structure of the subject material have to be altered in order to sit within a suitable thermodynamic range. In the same time catalytic modification is needed to improve the kinetics of the reaction. Successful attempts were made to develop Li-based ternary systems, such as Li-Al-N-H and Li-B-N-H, in which considerable reduction in hydrogen absorption and desorption temperatures and increased storage capacity have been achieved.6 A few new structures have been developed and characterized