Crystal structures and thermodynamic investigations of NaSc(BH4)4 from first‐principles calculations

The double cation borohydride NaSc(BH₄)₄ has a total H₂ content of 12.67 wt.% and has been suggested as a potential candidate for hydrogen storage applications. This study reports first‐principles calculations of the structure and reaction thermodynamics of NaSc(BH₄)₄. The calculations indicate that NaSc(BH₄)₄ is decomposed into a mixture of ScB₂, NaBH₄, and Na₂(B₁₀H₁₀) with H₂ release of 9.3 wt.% at 118 K at a partial pressure of H₂ of 100 bar. Reactant compositions that can destabilize NaSc(BH₄)₄ were evaluated. This effort identified four destabilization reactions that are predicted to have reaction thermodynamics for hydrogen release within the temperature range of 78–109 K. Even though the reactions conclusively produce undesired compounds, such as refractory materials or kinetically stable B₁₂H₁₂‐containing species, the thermodynamic study suggests a direction for improving the thermodynamics of double cation borohydride‐based systems being actively considered for hydrogen storage applications. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.