Destabilization of lithium hydride by the substitution of group 14 elements: A review

•Method for destabilization of LiH has been reviewed.•Group 14 elements have been found to have good destabilization effect.•The enthalpy is reduced down to −93 and −37 kJ/molH2 for Sn added LiH system.•Si is the best destabilizing agent with good compromise of capacity and temperature.

Lithium metal has been considered as an important candidate in energy sector due to its unique properties of hydrogen binding and electrochemical merits. Lithium hydride has high hydrogen capacity (12.7 mass %), however, it requires 900 °C for 0.1 MPa desorption pressure due to the presence of strong ionic bond which generates many thermodynamic constraints. These thermodynamic constraints can be removed using a third element that forms a new compound with Li upon dehydrogenation of LiH. This new compound should have more stability than elemental Li. Group 14 elements of periodic table may have the ability to fulfil this criterion. The paper presents a comprehensive review based on our recent studies on hydrogen storage properties of a Li-M-H system.