A new Li-Al-N-H system for reversible hydrogen storage

Complex metal hydrides are considered as a class of candidate materials for hydrogen storage. Lithium-based complex hydrides including lithium alanates (LiAlH(4) and Li(3)AlH(6)) are among the most promising materials owing to its high hydrogen content. In the present work, we investigated dehydrogenation/rehydrogenation reactions of a combined system of Li(3)AlH(6) and LiNH(2). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of Li(3)AlH(6)/3LiNH(2)/4 wt % TiCl(3)-(1)/(3)AlCl(3) mixtures indicated that a large amount of hydrogen (approximately 7.1 wt %) can be released between 150 degrees C and 300 degrees C under a heating rate of 5 degrees C/min in two dehydrogenation reaction steps. The results also show that the dehydrogenation reaction of the new material system is nearly 100% reversible under 2000 psi pressure hydrogen at 300 degrees C. Further, a short-cycle experiment has demonstrated that the new combined material system of alanates and amides can maintain its hydrogen storage capacity upon cycling of the dehydrogenation/rehydrogenation reactions.     

Thermodynamic properties of molecular borane phosphines, alane amines, and phosphine alanes and the [BH(4)(-)][PH(4)(+)], [AlH(4)(-)][NH(4)(+)], and [AlH(4)(-)][PH(4)(+)] salts for chemical hydrogen storage systems from ab initio electronic structure theory

The heats of formation for the molecules BH(3)PH(3), BH(2)PH(2), HBPH, AlH(3)NH(3), AlH(2)NH(2), HAlNH, AlH(3)PH(3), AlH(2)PH(2), HAlPH, AlH(4)(-), PH(3), PH(4), and PH(4)(+), as well as the diatomics BP, AlN, and AlP, have been calculated by using ab initio molecular orbital theory. The coupled cluster with single and double excitations and perturbative triples method (CCSD(T)) was employed for the total valence electronic energies. Correlation consistent basis sets were used, up through the augmented quadruple-zeta, to extrapolate to the complete basis set limit. Additional d core functions were used for Al and P. Core/valence, scalar relativistic, and spin-orbit corrections were included in an additive fashion to predict the atomization energies. Geometries were calculated at the CCSD(T) level up through at least aug-cc-pVTZ and frequencies were calculated at the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVDZ level. The heats of formation of the salts [BH(4)(-)][PH(4)(+)](s), [AlH(4)(-)][NH(4)(+)](s), and [AlH(4)(-)][PH(4)(+)](s) have been estimated by using an empirical expression for the lattice energy and the calculated heats of formation of the two component ions. The calculations show that both AlH(3)NH(3)(g) and [AlH(4)(-)][NH(4)(+)](s) can serve as good hydrogen storage systems that release H(2) in a slightly exothermic process. In addition, AlH(3)PH(3) and the salts [AlH(4)(-)][PH(4)(+)] and [BH(4)(-)][PH(4)(+)] have the potential to serve as H(2) storage systems. The hydride affinity of AlH(3) is calculated to be -70.4 kcal/mol at 298 K. The proton affinity of PH(3) is calculated to be 187.8 kcal/mol at 298 K in excellent agreement with the experimental value of 188 kcal/mol. PH(4) is calculated to be barely stable with respect to loss of a hydrogen to form PH(3).     

Hydrogen storage in LiAlH4: predictions of the crystal structures and reaction mechanisms of intermediate phases from quantum mechanics

We use the density functional theory and x-ray and neutron diffraction to investigate the crystal structures and reaction mechanisms of intermediate phases likely to be involved in decomposition of the potential hydrogen storage material LiAlH(4). First, we explore the decomposition mechanism of monoclinic LiAlH(4) into monoclinic Li(3)AlH(6) plus face-centered cubic (fcc) Al and hydrogen. We find that this reaction proceeds through a five-step mechanism with an overall activation barrier of 36.9 kcal/mol. The simulated x ray and neutron diffraction patterns from LiAlH(4) and Li(3)AlH(6) agree well with experimental data. On the other hand, the alternative decomposition of LiAlH(4) into LiAlH(2) plus H(2) is predicted to be unstable with respect to that through Li(3)AlH(6). Next, we investigate thermal decomposition of Li(3)AlH(6) into fcc LiH plus Al and hydrogen, occurring through a four-step mechanism with an activation barrier of 17.4 kcal/mol for the rate-limiting step. In the first and second steps, two Li atoms accept two H atoms from AlH(6) to form the stable Li-H-Li-H complex. Then, two sequential H(2) desorption steps are followed, which eventually result in fcc LiH plus fcc Al and hydrogen: Li(3)AlH(6)(monoclinic)-->3 LiH(fcc)+Al(fcc)+3/2 H(2) is endothermic by 15.8 kcal/mol. The dissociation energy of 15.8 kcal/mol per formula unit compares to experimental enthalpies in the range of 9.8-23.9 kcal/mol. Finally, we explore thermal decomposition of LiH, LiH(s)+Al(s)-->LiAl(s)+12H(2)(g) is endothermic by 4.6 kcal/mol. The B32 phase, which we predict as the lowest energy structure for LiAl, shows covalent bond characters in the Al-Al direction. Additionally, we determine that transformation of LiH plus Al into LiAlH is unstable with respect to transformation of LiH through LiAl.     

Iron complex-catalyzed ammonia-borane dehydrogenation. A potential route toward B-N-containing polymer motifs using earth-abundant metal catalysts

Ammonia-borane (NH(3)BH(3), AB) has garnered interest as a hydrogen storage material due to its high weight percent hydrogen content and ease of H(2) release relative to metal hydrides. As a consequence of dehydrogenation, B-N-containing oligomeric/polymeric materials are formed. The ability to control this process and dictate the identity of the generated polymer opens up the possibility of the targeted synthesis of new materials. While precious metals have been used in this regard, the ability to construct such materials using earth-abundant metals such as Fe presents a more economical approach. Four Fe complexes containing amido and phosphine supporting ligands were synthesized, and their reactivity with AB was examined. Three-coordinate Fe(PCy(3))[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2) (1) and four-coordinate Fe(DEPE)[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2) (2) yield a mixture of (NH(2)BH(2))(n) and (NHBH)(n) products with up to 1.7 equiv of H(2) released per AB but cannot be recycled (DEPE = 1,2-bis(diethylphosphino)ethane). In contrast, Fe supported by a bidentate P-N ligand (4) can be used in a second cycle to afford a similar product mixture. Intriguingly, the symmetric analogue of 4 (Fe(N-N)(P-P), 3), only generates (NH(2)BH(2))(n) and does so in minutes at room temperature. This marked difference in reactivity may be the result of the chemistry of Fe(II) vs Fe(0).     

Silica hollow nanospheres as new nanoscaffold materials to enhance hydrogen releasing from ammonia borane

Silica hollow nanospheres (SHNS) are used as new nanoscaffold materials to confine ammonia borane (NH(3)BH(3), AB) for enhancing the dehydrogenation process. Different loading levels of AB in SHNS are considered and AB/4SHNS (with AB content of approximately 20 wt%) shows the best result. The onset temperature of the dehydrogenation of AB in SHNS is as low as 70 °C with the peak temperature at 99 °C and no other gases such as borazine and ammonia are detected. Furthermore, within 60 min at 85 °C, 0.53 equivalent of hydrogen is released and the activation energy is 97.6 kJ mol(-1). Through FT-IR, Raman spectrum and density functional theory (DFT) calculation, it is found that nanoconfinement effect combined with SiO-HH-B interaction is essential for the enhancement of hydrogen releasing.     

Hydrogen absorption and desorption by the Li-Al-N-H system

Lithium hexahydridoaluminate Li(3)AlH(6) and lithium amide LiNH(2) with 1:2 molar ratio were mechanically milled, yielding a Li-Al-N-H system. LiNH(2) destabilized Li(3)AlH(6) during the dehydrogenation process of Li(3)AlH(6), because the dehydrogenation starting temperature of the Li-Al-N-H system was lower than that of Li(3)AlH(6). Temperature-programmed desorption scans of the Li-Al-N-H system indicated that a large amount of hydrogen (6.9 wt %) can be released between 370 and 773 K. After initial H(2) desorption, the H(2) absorption and the desorption capacities of the Li-Al-N-H system with a nano-Ni catalyst exhibited 3-4 wt % at 10-0.004 MPa and 473-573 K, while the capacities of the system without the catalyst were 1-2 wt %. The remarkably increased capacity was due to the fact that the kinetics was improved by addition of the nano-Ni catalyst.     

Synthetic and mechanistic studies of metal-free transfer hydrogenations applying polarized olefins as hydrogen acceptors and amine borane adducts as hydrogen donors

Metal-free transfer hydrogenation of polarized olefins (RR'C=CEE': R, R' = H or organyl, E, E' = CN or CO(2)Me) using amine borane adducts RR'NH-BH(3) (R = R' = H, AB; R = Me, R' = H, MAB; R = (t)Bu, R' = H, tBAB; R = R' = Me, DMAB) as hydrogen donors, were studied by means of in situ NMR spectroscopy. Deuterium kinetic isotope effects and the traced hydroboration intermediate revealed that the double H transfer process occurred regio-specifically in two steps with hydride before proton transfer characteristics. Studies on substituent effects and Hammett correlation indicated that the rate determining step of the H(N) transfer is in agreement with a concerted transition state. The very reactive intermediate [NH(2)=BH(2)] generated from AB was trapped by addition of cyclohexene into the reaction mixture forming Cy(2)BNH(2). The final product borazine (BHNH)(3) is assumed to be formed by dehydrocoupling of [NH(2)=BH(2)] or its solvent stabilized derivative [NH(2)=BH(2)]-(solvent), rather than by dehydrogenation of cyclotriborazane (BH(2)NH(2))(3) which is the trimerization product of [NH(2)=BH(2)].     

Dehydrogenation tuning of ammine borohydrides using double-metal cations

The strategy of using double-cations to tune the temperature and purity of dehydrogenation of ammine borohydrides is reported. The first double-cation ammine borohydride, Li(2)Al(BH(4))(5)·6NH(3), which forms a novel structure with ordered arrangement of Al(NH(3))(6)(3+) ammine complexes and Li(2)(BH(4))(5)(3-) complex anions, is found to release over 10.0 wt % hydrogen below 120 °C with favorable kinetics and high H-purity (>99%).     

In situ hybridization of LiNH2-LiH-Mg(BH4)2 nano-composites: intermediate and optimized hydrogenation properties

Nano-composites of LiNH(2)-LiH-xMg(BH(4))(2) (0 ≤ x ≤ 2) were prepared by plasma metal reaction followed by a nucleation growth method. Highly reactive LiNH(2)-LiH hollow nanoparticles offered a favorable nucleus during a precipitation process of liquid Mg(BH(4))(2)·OEt(2). The electron microscopy results suggested that more than 90% of the obtained nano-composites were in the range 200-400 nm. Because of the short diffusion distance and ternary mixture self-catalyzing effect, this material possesses enhanced hydrogen (de)sorption attributes, including facile low-temperature kinetics, impure gases attenuation and partial reversibility. The optimal hydrogen storage properties were found at the composition of LiNH(2)-LiH-0.5Mg(BH(4))(2), which was tentatively attributed to a Li(4)(NH(2))(2)(BH(4))(2) intermediate. 5.3 wt% hydrogen desorption could be recorded at 150 °C, with the first 2.2 wt% release being reversible. This work suggests that controlled in situ hybridization combined with formula optimization can improve hydrogen storage properties.     

Promoted hydrogen release from ammonia borane with mannitol via a solid-state reaction route

Promoted hydrogen release from ammonia borane (NH(3)BH(3), AB) with mannitol (C(6)H(8)(OH)(6), MA) additive is reported. It is found that for the MA/2AB sample, the dehydrogenation temperature is lowered by ~25 °C compared to that of neat AB, the liberation of undesired byproduct borazine is suppressed, and the released ammonia can be removed by using anhydrous MgCl(2) as absorber. The analyses of Raman, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and (11)B nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy demonstrate the breaking of B-N, B-H and O-H bonds and the formation of B-O bonds for the dehydrogenation process of MA/2AB. These results suggest a solid-state dehydrogenation reaction between AB and MA: the B-H(δ-) bonds in AB and the O-H(δ+) bonds in MA combine with each other to release H(2). Furthermore, the use of the perfect -OH carrier MA as additive leads to a straightforward understanding of the improved dehydrogenation of AB under the effect of hydroxyl groups in the solid state.     

Hydrazine bisalane is a potential compound for chemical hydrogen storage. A theoretical study

Electronic structure calculations suggest that hydrazine bisalane (AlH(3)NH(2)NH(2)AlH(3), alhyzal) is a promising compound for chemical hydrogen storage (CHS). Calculations are carried out using the coupled-cluster theory CCSD(T) with the aug-cc-pVTZ basis set. Potential energy surfaces are constructed to probe the formation of, and hydrogen release from, hydrazine bisalane which is initially formed from the reaction of hydrazine with dialane. Molecular and electronic characteristics of both gauche and trans alhyzal are determined for the first time. The gauche hydrazine bisalane is formed from starting reactants hydrazine + dialane following a movement of an AlH(3) group from AlH(3)AlH(3)NH(2)NH(2) rather than by a direct attachment of a separate AlH(3) group, generated by predissociation of dialane, to AlH(3)NH(2)NH(2). The energy barriers for dehydrogenation processes from gauche and transalhyzal are in the range of 21-28 kcal mol(-1), which are substantially smaller than those of ca. 40 kcal mol(-1) previously determined for the isovalent hydrazine bisborane (bhyzb) system. H(2) release from hydrazine bisalane is thus more favored over that from hydrazine bisborane, making the Al derivative an alternative candidate for CHS.     

Facile solid-phase synthesis of the diammoniate of diborane and its thermal decomposition behavior

The recent mechanistic finding of the hydrogen release pathways from ammonia borane (AB) has sparked new interest in the chemistry and properties of the diammoniate of diborane (DADB), an ionic isomer of AB. We herein report a facile one-step solid-phase synthesis route of DADB using inexpensive starting materials. Our study found that mechanically milling a 1?:?1 NaBH(4)/NH(4)F powder mixture causes the formation of crystalline DADB via a NH(4)BH(4) intermediate. The produced DADB can be readily separated from the sodium fluoride (NaF) by-product by a purification procedure using liquid ammonia at -78 °C. The thermal decomposition behavior of DADB was studied using synchronous thermal analyses, particularly in comparison with AB. It was found that the decomposition steps and products of DADB are similar to those of AB. But meanwhile, DADB exhibits a series of advantages over AB that merit its potential hydrogen storage application, such as lower dehydrogenation temperature, free of foaming and lack of an induction period in the thermal decomposition process. Our study further found that the volatile non-hydrogen products from DADB can be effectively suppressed by milling with MgH(2).     

Promotion of hydrogen release from ammonia borane with magnesium nitride

Hydrogen release from ammonia borane (NH(3)BH(3), AB) can be greatly promoted by mechanical milling with magnesium nitride (Mg(3)N(2)). For example, a post-milled 6AB/Mg(3)N(2) sample started to release hydrogen from ～65 °C and gave a material-based hydrogen capacity of ～11 wt% upon heating to 300 °C. In addition to the improved dehydrogenation kinetics, the 6AB/Mg(3)N(2) sample also showed satisfactory performance in suppressing the volatile byproducts. X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and solid-state (11)B MAS NMR, as well as a series of designed experiments, were carried out to gain mechanistic understanding of the property improvements that arise from addition of Mg(3)N(2). Our study found that the formation of 3Mg(NH(2)BH(3))(2)·2NH(3), which is in single or mixed amidoborane ammoniate phases in nature, is an important mechanistic step in the dehydrogenation process of the 6AB/Mg(3)N(2) sample.     

TiCl3-enhanced NaAlH4: impact of excess al and development of the Al1-yTiy phase during cycling

NaAlH(4) with TiCl(3) and Al were mixed by ball-milling and cycled three times. The hydrogen storage properties were monitored during cycling, and the products were characterized by synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Because of the previously described formation of Al(1)(-)(y)Ti(y) with y approximately 0.15 during cycling that traps Al beyond the amount associated with the formation of NaCl, some Na(3)AlH(6) has no free Al to react with to form NaAlH(4). This was counteracted in the present work by adding a stoichiometric amount of Al that increases the theoretical storage capacity. Due to limitations in metal diffusion small amounts of Na(3)AlH(6) were still detected. When approximately 7 mol % more Al than the stoichiometric amount was added, the observed storage capacity increased significantly, and the Na(3)AlH(6) content was negligible after prolonged rehydrogenation. Cycled NaAlH(4) + 10 mol % TiCl(3) were desorbed to two different levels, and the diffraction patterns were compared. There is no change in unit-cell dimensions during desorption, and there is no sign of changes in the bulk composition of the Al(1)(-)(y)Ti(y) phase during a cycle. Adding pure Ti to a NaH + Al mixture by ball-milling in argon or hydrogen results in formation of TiH(2) that is stable during at least one cycle.     

Enhanced hydrogen release by catalyzed hydrolysis of sodium borohydride-ammonia borane mixtures: a solution-state 11B NMR study

Hydrolysis of mixtures consisting of sodium borohydride NaBH(4) (SB) and ammonia borane NH(3)BH(3) (AB) was studied in the absence/presence of a Co catalyst. The kinetics of the H(2) evolutions was measured. The reactions were followed in situ by solution-state (11)B NMR and the hydrolysis by-products characterized by NMR, XRD and IR. It is demonstrated that the combination of the two compounds gives a synergetic effect. SB rapidly reduces the Co catalyst precursor and the NH(4)(+) ions from AB contribute in the dispersion of the in situ formed Co nanoparticles. As a result, the kinetics of H(2) evolution is greatly improved. For instance, a hydrogen generation rate of 29.6 L min(-1) g(-1)(Co) was found for a mixture consisting of 81 wt% NH(3)BH(3), 9 wt% NaBH(4) and 10 wt% CoCl(2). By (11)B NMR, it was showed that the reaction mechanisms are quite trivial. As soon as the Co catalyst forms in situ, SB, rather than AB, hydrolyzes until it is totally converted. Then, the overall hydrolysis continues with that of AB. Both reactions follow a bimolecular Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism; no reaction intermediates were observed during the process. In fact, SB and AB convert directly into B(OH)(4)(-), which comes in equilibrium with a polyborate compound identified as B(3)O(3)(OH)(4)(-). All of these results are discussed herein.     

Monoammoniate of calcium amidoborane: synthesis, structure, and hydrogen-storage properties

The monoammoniate of calcium amidoborane, Ca(NH(2)BH(3))(2)·NH(3), was synthesized by ball milling an equimolar mixture of CaNH and AB. Its crystal structure has been determined and was found to contain a dihydrogen-bonded network. Thermal decomposition under an open-system begins with the evolution of about 1 equivalent/formula unit (equiv.) of NH(3) at temperatures <100 °C followed by the decomposition of Ca(NH(2)BH(3))(2) to release hydrogen. In a closed-system thermal decomposition process, hydrogen is liberated in two stages, at about 70 and 180 °C, with the first stage corresponding to an exothermic process. It has been found that the presence of the coordinated NH(3) has induced the dehydrogenation to occur at low temperature. At the end of the dehydrogenation, about 6 equiv. (～ 10.2 wt %) of hydrogen can be released, giving rise to the formation of CaB(2)N(3)H.     

Enhancement of lithium amide to lithium imide transition via mechanical activation

The decomposition of lithium amide (LiNH2) to lithium imide (Li2NH) and ammonia (NH3) with and without high-energy ball milling is investigated to lay a foundation for identifying methods to enhance the hydrogen uptake/release of the lithium amide and lithium hydride mixture. A wide range of analytical instruments are utilized to provide unambiguous evidence of the effect of mechanical activation. It is shown that ball milling reduces the onset temperature for the decomposition of LiNH2 from 120 degrees C to room temperature. The enhanced decomposition via ball milling is attributed to mechanical activation related to the formation of nanocrystallites, the reduced particle size, the increased surface area, and the decreased activation energy. The more mechanical activation there is, then the more improvement there is in enhancing the decomposition of LiNH2. It also is found that the activation energy for the decomposition of LiNH2 without ball milling is 243.98 kJ/mol, which is reduced to 222.20 kJ/mol after ball milling at room temperature for 45 min and is further reduced to 138.05 kJ/mol after ball milling for 180 min. The rate of the isothermal decomposition at the later phase of the LiNH2 decomposition is controlled by diffusion of NH3 through the Li2NH layer.     

Amineborane-based chemical hydrogen storage: enhanced ammonia borane dehydrogenation in ionic liquids

Ionic liquids are shown to provide advantageous media for amineborane-based chemical hydrogen storage systems. Both the extent and rate of hydrogen release from ammonia borane dehydrogenation are significantly increased at 85, 90, and 95 degrees C when the reactions are carried out in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride compared to analogous solid-state reactions. NMR studies in conjunction with DFT/GIAO chemical shift calculations indicate that both polyaminoborane and the diammoniate of diborane, [(NH3)2BH2+]BH4-, are initial products in the reactions.     

Dehydrogenation mechanisms and thermodynamics of MNH2BH3 (M=Li, Na) metal amidoboranes as predicted from first principles

Electronic structure calculations have been used to determine and compare the thermodynamics of H(2) release from ammonia borane (NH(3)BH(3)), lithium amidoborane (LiNH(2)BH(3)), and sodium amidoborane (NaNH(2)BH(3)). Using two types of exchange correlation functional we show that in the gas-phase the metal amidoboranes have much higher energies of complexation than ammonia borane, meaning that for the former compounds the B-N bond does not break upon dehydrogenation. Thermodynamically however, both the binding energy for H(2) release and the activation energy for dehydrogenation are much lower for NH(3)BH(3) than for the metal amidoboranes, in contrast to experimental results. We reconcile this by also investigating the effects of dimer complexation (2×NH(3)BH(3), 2×LiNH(2)BH(3)) on the dehydrogenation properties. As previously described in the literature the minimum energy pathway for H(2) release from the 2×NH(3)BH(3) complex involves the formation of a diammoniate of diborane complex ([BH(4)](-)[NH(3)BH(2)NH(3)](+)). A new mechanism is found for dehydrogenation from the 2×LiNH(2)BH(3) dimer that involves the formation of an analogous dibroane complex ([BH(4)](-)[LiNH(2)BH(2)LiNH(2)](+)), intriguingly it is lower in energy than the original dimer (by 0.13 eV at ambient temperatures). Additionally, this pathway allows almost thermoneutral release of H(2) from the lithium amidoboranes at room temperature, and has an activation barrier that is lower in energy than for ammonia borane, in contrast to other theoretical research. The transition state for single and dimer lithium amidoborane demonstrates that the light metal atom plays a significant role in acting as a carrier for hydrogen transport during the dehydrogenation process via the formation of a Li-H complex. We posit that it is this mechanism which is responsible, in condensed molecular systems, for the improved dehydrogenation thermodynamics of metal amidoboranes.