Characterization of LiBH4–MgH2 Reactive Hydride Composite System with Scattering and Imaging Methods Using Neutron and Synchrotron Radiation

Abstract

Reversible solid-state hydrogen storage in metal hydrides is a key technology for pollution-free energy conversion systems. Herein, the LiBH2–MgH2 composite system with and without ScCl3 additive is investigated using synchrotron- and neutron-radiation-based probing methods that can be applied to characterize such lightweight metal–hydrogen systems from nanoscopic levels up to macroscopic scale. Combining the results of neutron- and photon-based methods allows a complementary insight into reaction paths and mechanisms, complex interactions between the hydride matrix and additive, hydrogen distribution, material transport, structural changes, and phase separation in the hydride matrix. The gained knowledge is of great importance for development and optimization of such novel metal-hydride-based hydrogen storage systems with respect to future applications.