Solid-State NMR Study of Li-Assisted Dehydrogenation of Ammonia Borane
The mechanism of thermochemical dehydrogenation of the 1:3 mixture of Li3AlH6 and NH3BH3 (AB) has been studied by the extensive use of solid-state NMR spectroscopy and theoretical calculations. The activation energy for the dehydrogenation is estimated to be 110 kJ mol–1, which is lower than for pristine AB (184 kJ mol–1). The major hydrogen release from the mixture occurs at 60 and 72 °C, which compares favorably with pristine AB and related hydrogen storage materials, such as lithium amidoborane (LiNH2BH3, LiAB). The NMR studies suggest that Li3AlH6 improves the dehydrogenation kinetics of AB by forming an intermediate compound (LiAB)x(AB)1–x. A part of AB in the mixture transforms into LiAB to form this intermediate, which accelerates the subsequent formation of branched polyaminoborane species and further release of hydrogen. The detailed reaction mechanism, in particular the role of lithium, revealed in the present study highlights new opportunities for using ammonia borane and its derivatives as hydrogen storage materials.
- Research Organization:
- Ames Lab., Ames, IA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC)
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC02-07CH11358
- OSTI ID:
- 1044998
- Report Number(s):
- IS-J 7681
- Journal Information:
- Inorganic Chemistry, Vol. 2012, Issue 7
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Base-Promoted Ammonia Borane Hydrogen-Release
First-Principles Prediction of Intermediate Products in the Decomposition of Metal Amidoboranes