Formation of CaB6 in the thermal decomposition of the hydrogen storage material Ca(BH4)2. Issue 29 (8th July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sahle, Christoph J.; Sternemann, Christian; Giacobbe, Carlotta; Yan, Yigang; Weis, Christopher; Harder, Manuel; Forov, Yury; Spiekermann, Georg; Tolan, Metin; Krisch, Michael; Remhof, Arndt
• Is Part Of: Physical chemistry chemical physics. Volume 18:Issue 29(2016)
• Page Start: 19866
• Page End: 19872
• Publication Date: 2016-07-08
• Subjects: Chemistry, Physical and theoretical -- Periodicals; 541.3
• DOI: 10.1039/c6cp02495e
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1463-9076

Abstract

Abstract : Using a combination of high resolution X-ray powder diffraction and X-ray Raman scattering spectroscopy at the B K- and Ca L2, 3 -edges, we analyzed the reaction products of Ca(BH4 )2 after annealing at 350 °C and 400 °C under vacuum conditions. Abstract : Using a combination of high resolution X-ray powder diffraction and X-ray Raman scattering spectroscopy at the B K- and Ca L2, 3 -edges, we analyzed the reaction products of Ca(BH4 )2 after annealing at 350 °C and 400 °C under vacuum conditions. We observed the formation of nanocrystalline/amorphous CaB6 mainly and found only small contributions from amorphous B for annealing times larger than 2 h. For short annealing times of 0.5 h at 400 °C we observed neither CaB12 H12 nor CaB6 . The results indicate a reaction pathway in which Ca(BH4 )2 decomposes to B and CaH2 and finally reacts to form CaB6 . These findings confirm the potential of using Ca(BH4 )2 as a hydrogen storage medium and imply the desired cycling capabilities for achieving high-density hydrogen storage materials.