Enhanced desorption properties of LiBH4 incorporated into mesoporous TiO2

LiBH4 nano-particles are incorporated into mesoporous TiO2 scaffolds via a chemical impregnation method. And the enhanced desorption properties of the composite have been investigated. The LiBH4/TiO2 sample starts to release hydrogen at 220 °C and the maximal desorption peak occurs at about 330 °C, much lower compared to the bulk LiBH4. Furthermore, the composite exhibits excellent dehydrogenation kinetics, with 11 wt% of hydrogen liberated from LiBH4 at 300 °C within 3 h. X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy are used to confirm the nanostructure of LiBH4 in the TiO2 scaffold. This work demonstrates that confinement within active porous scaffold host is a promising approach for enhancing hydrogen decomposition properties of light-metal complex hydrides.

► A well-distributed hexagonal structure of TiO2 is synthesized. ► We adopt a simple infiltration method to incorporate LiBH4 into TiO2 pores. ► The LiBH4/TiO2 sample exhibits excellent thermodynamics and kinetics. ► 11 wt% of hydrogen is released from LiBH4 at 300 °C within 3 h. ► Confinement and destabilization form a synergetic effect on releasing properties.