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

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 degrees C and 190 degrees C, respectively. This is 226 degrees C and 260 degrees C lower than the fusion and decomposition temperature of LiBH4, respectively. Moreover, over 10 wt% hydrogen can be obtained by 500 degrees C heating, compared with 2.4 wt% for the as-received LiBH4. Additionally, over 5 wt% hydrogen can be released at 300 degrees 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.