Evidence of formation of LiBH4 by high-energy ball milling of LiH and B in a hydrogen atmosphere

The formation of LiBH4 by high-energy ball milling a mixture of LiH and crystalline B in a hydrogen atmosphere is demonstrated for the first time. Thermal programmed desorption measurements of the samples produced showed that the amount of released gas increases by increasing milling time, hydrogen pressure into the vial and by using WC balls instead of stainless steel balls. The white crystalline powder obtained by solvent separation from one of samples has been identified by X-ray diffraction as pure LiBH4. (c) 2009 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.