Catalytic Enhancement of Hydrogen Storage Characteristics in BH3NH3-nMgH2 Complex Hydrides

Catalytic Enhancement of Hydrogen Storage Characteristics in BH₃NH₃-nMgH₂ Complex Hydrides

Freddie F. Eskridge^1†, Sesha S. Srinivasan² and Nosa O. Egiebor¹

¹Department of Chemical Engineering, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL 36088

²Department of Physics, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL 36088

Abstract

Aminoborane complexes (BH₃NH₃) have in recent times been considered as potential hydrogen storage media for on-board fuel cell vehicles. However, these complex materials release gases such as di-borane (B₂H₆) and ammonia (NH₃) which are not favorable for the PEM fuel cell membrane. Alakali (NaH, LiH) or alkaline (MgH₂, CaH₂) ad-mixed aminoboranes have shown much less or even negligible release of gases other than hydrogen while maintaining reversibility at moderate temperatures (e.g. 150^o C). In this study, we have prepared BH₃NH₃ with different concentrations of nanocrystalline MgH₂ via solid state mechanochemical process under inert atmosphere. The processed mixture BH₃NH₃-nMgH₂ is further doped with nano nickel as catalysts to observe the enhancement in hydrogen desorption characteristics. The results obtained so far will be presented.

^†Undergraduate Student Presenter