M. Au, Savannah River Technology Center, Aiken, SC
Alkali metal borohydrides such as LiBH4 and NaBH4 hold large amounts of hydrogen (18.5wt% and 10.6wt%) more than alanates (5.6wt%) and other conventional metal hydrides (1.4~1.8 wt%). Unfortunately, heating above 470oC is required to release the hydrogen, which is close to its melting point. The feasibility of rehydrogenation has also not adequately been studied. Currently, these hydrides have been used as “on-demand” hydrogen sources through an irreversible catalyzed hydrolysis and are marketed commercially. However, there is a possibility that the alkali metal borohydrides can be doped and catalyzed to release hydrogen and then be recharged at acceptable low temperature. A similar approach has proved successful in alanate complex research. This paper will present the results in an the effort to reduce the thermodynamic stability and improve the kinetics of borohydride dehydrogenation. The crystalline structure, chemical binding status, catalysts distribution, particle size and morphology are being investigated in this work. The initial exploration into the rehydrogenation of the discharged borohydrides will also be discussed in this paper.
Summary: This paper reports the updated results on the development of the doped and catalyzed metal borohydrides for hydrogen storage. The methodology of new materials synthsis, thermal dehydrogenation capacity and condition, and the rehydrogenation feasibility will be discussed.