Isotopic effect on the non-isothermal dehydrogenation kinetics of lithium alanates

The isotopic effect on the dehydrogenation kinetics of lithium alanate has been studied. The desorption of hydrogen/deuterium of LiAlH4/LiAlD4 occurs in two steps below 300 degrees C. The deuterium desorption temperature of LiAID(4) was found to be marginally higher for both the steps as compared to hydrogen desorption of LiAIH(4). The apparent activation energy of hydrogen/deuterium desorption was evaluated and found to be in the order of E-aLiAlD4 > E-aLiAl4. The higher desorption temperature of LiAID(4) has been explained on the basis the zero point energy per unit H/D atom of the alanates. The results indicate the normal isotopic effect of lithium alanate, which could be extended for the tritium. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.