In situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction study on the dehydrogenation behavior of LiAlH4-MgH2 composites

Dehydrogenation behavior of LiAlH4-MgH2 composites was investigated by using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. The experimental results showed that MgH2 could play a catalytic role in lowing the initial dehydrogenation temperature of LiAlH4. Besides, MgH2 could be destabilized by the dehydrogenation reaction products of LiAlH4. The initial dehydrogenation temperature of LiAlH4-MgH2 composites was as low as 145 °C and MgH2 could decompose below 300 °C. The compounds such as LiMgAlH6, Al3Mg2, Al12Mg17 and Li0.92Mg4.08 formed during dehydrogenation process suggested some mutual reactions proceeded between LiAlH4 and MgH2.