Mechanochemical synthesis of NaBH4 starting from NaH–MgB2 reactive hydride composite system

The present investigation focuses on a new synthesis route of NaBH4 starting from the 2NaH + MgB2 system subjected to mechanochemical activation under reactive hydrogen atmosphere. The milling process was carried out under two different hydrogen pressures (1 and 120 bar) with two different rotation speeds (300 and 550 rpm). The reaction products were characterized by ex-situ solid state magic angle spinning (MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), ex-situ X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and Infrared Spectroscopy (IR). From the results of these analyses, it can be concluded that milling in all the considered conditions led to the formation of NaBH4 (cubic-Fm-3m). In particular, a reaction yield of 5 and 14 wt% is obtained after 20 h of milling at 120 bar of H2 for the tests performed at 300 rpm and 550 rpm, respectively. The presence of MgH2 is also detected among the final products on the as milled powders. The influence of the milling conditions and the evaluation of the parameters related the mechanochemical process are here discussed.

► New synthesis route of NaBH4 starting from the 2NaH + MgB2 system is presented.
► NaBH4 formation is induced by mechanochemical activation under hydrogen atmosphere.
► The NaBH4 conversion yield depend on the hydrogen pressure used during the milling.
► MgH2 is also detected among the final products on the as milled powders.