Destabilized dehydrogenation reaction of LiBH4 by AlF3

In this work, the composites of LiBH 4 and AlF 3 were prepared and their hydrogen storage properties were investigated. The AlF 3 addition to LiBH 4 resulted in significant decreases in dehydrogenation temperature. All the x LiBH 4   +   AlF 3 ( x   =   1, 2, 3, 5) composites started to release hydrogen from about 100   °C. The dehydrogenation of the composites was accomplished through several steps, depending on the molar ratio of LiBH 4 to AlF 3 . A new phase Li 3 AlF 6 was formed during the first dehydrogenation step, which further reacted with LiBH 4 . AlB 2 was formed only at temperatures higher than 300   °C. Li 2 B 12 H 12 was detected as an intermediate. The dehydrogenation reactions have significantly reduced and thus favorable enthalpy changes. However, the reversibility of the composites needs to be improved.