Superior destabilization effects of LiBH4 with the addition of nano-sized nickel ferrite NiFe2O4

Abstract

The introduction of a secondary compound, known as destabilization, is an effective way to improve the desorption performance of LiBH₄. In this paper the effects of nano-sized nickel ferrite (NiFe₂O₄) on the hydrogen storage properties of LiBH₄, processed by high energy ball milling, are studied. Non-isothermal desorption results show that the onset and predominant dehydrogenation temperature of LiBH₄ + 9 mol% NiFe₂O₄ is 89 °C and 190 °C, respectively. This is 226 °C and 260 °C lower than the fusion and decomposition temperature of LiBH₄, respectively. Moreover, over 10 wt% hydrogen can be obtained by 500 °C heating, compared with 2.4 wt% for the as-received LiBH₄. Additionally, over 5 wt% hydrogen can be released at 300 °C within 20 minutes of isothermal desorption. From the X-ray diffraction results and the small area electron diffraction analysis, Fe₃O₄, NiB and Fe₃B, in situ formed between the reaction of LiBH₄ and NiFe₂O₄, and act to give actual destabilization effects.