In Situ Formation of TiB2 Nanoparticles for Enhanced Dehydrogenation/Hydrogenation Reaction Kinetics of LiBH4-MgH2 as a Reversible Solid-State Hydrogen Storage Composite System

To enhance the dehydrogenation/rehydrogenation kinetic behavior of the LiBH4-MgH2 composite system, TiF4 is used as an additive. The effect of this additive on the hydride composite system has been studied by means of laboratory and advanced synchrotron techniques. Investigations on the synthesis and mechanism upon hydrogen interaction show that the addition of TiF4 to the LiBH4-MgH2 composite system during the milling procedure leads to the in situ formation of well-distributed nanosized TiB2 particles. These TiB2 nanoparticles act as nucleation agents for the formation of MgB2 upon dehydrogenation process of the hydride composite system. The effect of TiB2 nanoparticles is maintained upon cycling.