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Characterization and Mechanistic Studies of the Dehydrogenation of NHxBHx Materials

Journal Article · · Current Opinion in Solid State and Materials Science, 15(2):73-79

In this review we cover the recent developments providing insight into the chemical and physical properties for a series of hydrogen-rich NBHx materials that are of interest as energy storage media for fuel cell power applications. These materials, ammonium borohydride (ABH2, [NH4][BH4]; 240 g H2/kg; 165 g/liter), ammonia borane (AB, [NH3BH3]; 196 g H2/kg; 147 g/liter) and diammoniate of diborane (DADB, [NH3BH2NH3][BH4]; 196 g H2/kg; ca. 151 g/liter), release hydrogen by a series of moderately exothermic reaction pathways. The advantage of these materials is that hydrogen release is kinetically controlled and occurs at relatively low temperatures and moderate pressures. The challenges are devising economical pathways to regenerate the fully charged hydrogen storage materials off board and understanding and controlling the formation of volatile impurities that decrease the purity of the hydrogen available for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell applications. The focus of this review is on the solid phase ABH2, AB and DADB materials to complement the coverage of AB in other recent review articles [1-2]. Additional discussion is given on the decomposition products of these materials, polyaminoborane (PAB, [NH2BH2]n) and polyiminoborane (PIB, [NHBH]n). The article is organized into 3 sections, (i) Synthesis and stuctural characterization; (ii) Kinetics and thermodynamics of hydrogen release and (iii) Outstanding challenges for breakthroughs. This work was supported by the US Department of Energy Basic Energy Sciences' Chemical Sciences, Geosciences & Biosciences Division. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is operated by Battelle for the US Department of Energy.

Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US), Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
1012841
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA-73671; 25661; KC0302010
Journal Information:
Current Opinion in Solid State and Materials Science, 15(2):73-79, Journal Name: Current Opinion in Solid State and Materials Science, 15(2):73-79 Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 15; ISSN 1359-0286; ISSN COSSFX
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English