Improving the desorption properties of LiAlH4 by the addition of Ni0.6Zn0.4O

Abstract

Lithium alanate (LiAlH4) is one of the most preferred materials for solid-state hydrogen storage materials owing to its relatively high hydrogen capacity (10.5 wt%). However, its high decomposition temperature and sluggish desorption kinetic restrict its potential application as a hydrogen storage medium for on-board hydrogen-powered applications. To overcome these problems, the impacts of Ni0.6Zn0.4O synthesized via a solid-state method on the desorption properties of LiAlH4 have been examined in this study. It was found that after the introduction of 10 wt% of Ni0.6Zn0.4O to LiAlH4, hydrogen started to release at 124 °C and 170 °C for the first two stages, respectively. Isothermal desorption kinetics also revealed that faster desorption kinetics can be observed at 90 °C for 120 min LiAlH4+10 wt% of Ni0.6Zn0.4O can desorb 3.1 wt% of H2, whereas undoped LiAlH4 can release approximately less than 0.5 wt% of H2 in the same time frame. According to the Kissinger method, the apparent activation energies for the first two steps of the LiAlH4+10 wt% of Ni0.6Zn0.4O composites have been found to be 73 kJ/mol and 85 kJ/mol, respectively, 32 kJ/mol and 40 kJ/mol less than milled LiAlH4. The in-situ formation of NiO and Zn or Zn-containing compounds during the heating process might contribute to the kinetic improvement of LiAlH4.