Enhanced hydrogen storage properties of TiN–LiAlH4 composite

The hydrogen storage properties of LiAlH4 doped efficient TiN catalyst were systematically investigated. We observe that TiN catalyst enhances the dehydrogenation kinetics and decreases the dehydrogenation temperature of LiAlH4. The dehydrogenation behaviors of 2%TiN–LiAlH4 are investigated using temperature programmed desorption (TPD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Interestingly, the onset hydrogen desorption temperature of 2%TiN–LiAlH4 sample gets lowered from 151.0 °C to 90.0 °C with a faster kinetics, and the dehydrogenation rate reached a maximum value at 137.2 °C. By adding a small amount of as-prepared TiN, approximately 7.1 wt% of hydrogen can be released from the LiAlH4 at 130 °C. Interestingly, the result of the FTIR indicates that the 2%TiN–LiAlH4 maybe restore hydrogen under 5.5 MPa hydrogen. Moreover, 2%TiN–LiAlH4 displayed a substantially reduced activation energy for LiAlH4 dehydrogenation.

► The onset dehydrogenation temperature of 2%TiN–LiAlH4 is lowered to 90.0 °C.
► Approximately 7.1 wt% of hydrogen can be released from 2%TiN–LiAlH4 at 130 °C.
► 2%TiN–LiAlH4 sample maybe restore hydrogen under 5.5 MPa hydrogen.
►  As-synthesized TiN is the catalyst in the in situ dehydrogenation of NaAlH4.