Probing the reaction pathway of dehydrogenation of the LiNH2 + LiH mixture using in situ1H NMR spectroscopy

Using variable temperature in situ1H NMR spectroscopy on a mixture of LiNH2 + LiH that was mechanically activated using high-energy ball milling, the dehydrogenation of the LiNH2 + LiH to Li2NH + H2 was investigated. The analysis indicates NH3 release at a temperature as low as 30 °C and rapid reaction between NH3 and LiH at ∼150 °C. The transition from NH3 release to H2 appearance accompanied by disappearance of NH3 confirms unambiguously the two-step elementary reaction pathway proposed by other workers.