Novel dehydrogenation properties derived from nanoscale LiBH4

Abstract Nanoscale, amorphous LiBH 4 powder with sizes from 20 to 50 nm is synthesized via a solvent evaporation process without the aid of nanoscaffolds. The nanoscale LiBH 4 starts to release H 2 at ∼32 °C and forms Li 2 B 12 H 12 at 265 °C or lower. The amount of H 2 released in the solid state from 25 to 265 °C reaches 3.5 wt.%, which is substantially higher than 0.75 wt.% H 2 released by bulk LiBH 4 . These novel dehydrogenation properties have been discussed based on the observed improvements in both the thermodynamic driving force and reaction kinetics. The nanoscale LiBH 4 not only enhances the dehydrogenation kinetics, but also alters the rate-limiting step.