LAUSR

Abstract Lithium borohydride-magnesium hydride (LiBH 4 –MgH 2 ) reactive composite has been considered as one of the potential candidate for energy storage in the form of hydrogen because of its high hydrogen storage capacity. The composite requires high temperature (>500 °C) to dehydrogenate above 80% of its theoretical hydrogen storage capacity due to kinetic constraints. Therefore, a suitable catalyst is required to lower the dehydrogenation temperature. In this regard, the catalytic effect of ZrCl 4 on the dehydrogenation of LiBH 4 –MgH 2 reactive composite has been studied. It was found that the apparent activation energy of dehydrogenation decreases considerably followed by reduction in onset dehydrogenation temperature. The X-ray diffraction analysis of dehydrogenated composite has shown two phase of Mg Li intermetallics. The formation of Mg Li intermetallic phases eventually increases the amount of hydrogen release and, it could be beneficial during rehydrogenation. Moreover, dehydrogenation of catalyzed MgH 2 –LiBH 4 favors the formation of MgB 2 under mild conditions.