Synthesis of LiAlH4 nanoparticles leading to a single hydrogen release step upon Ti coating

Abstract

Lithium aluminum hydride (LiAlH4) is an interesting high capacity hydrogen storage material with fast hydrogen release kinetics when mechanically activated with additives. Herein, we report on a novel approach to produce nanoscale LiAlH4 via a bottom-up synthesis. Upon further coating of these nanoparticles with Ti, the composite nanomaterial was found to decompose at 120 °C in one single and extremely sharp exothermic event with instant hydrogen release. This finding implies a significant thermodynamic alteration of the hydrogen properties of LiAlH4 induced by the synergetic effects of the Ti catalytic coating and nanosizing effects. Ultimately, the decomposition path of LiAlH4 was changed to LiAlH4 → Al + LiH + 3/2H2.