A Systematic Approach to the Synthesis, Thermal Stability and Hydrogen Storage Properties of Rare-Earth Borohydrides

F. C. GENNARI; J. ANDRADE GAMBOA

Emerging Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Año: 2018;

Metal borohydrides M(BH4)n (where n is the valence of metal M) have received considerable attention as promising hydrogen storage materials due to their high hydrogen densities. In particular during the last decade, the successful synthesis of rare-earth (RE) borohydrides free of solvates using mechanochemical milling and/or wet chemistry has promoted the study of these compounds as hydrogen storage materials and solid state Li-ion conductors. Thereby, several RE borohydrides have been discovered and characterized, showing a rich chemistry with common structural characteristics and physical properties. RE borohydrides possess adequate stability with respect to decomposition temperature and good hydrogen sorption kinetics. In this chapter, new synthetic approaches and structural, physical and chemical properties of RE borohydrides are summarized. An analysis of dehydrogenation pathways and hydrogen storage properties of the main RE borohydrides is presented. Finally, the combination of LiBH4 with RE hydrides or RE borohydrides forming destabilized composites is evaluated as new hydrogen storage systems.