LAUSR

Abstract Nanopowders with MeH2 and Mem:1-7AlHn:4-7 (Me:Be/Sr) stoichiometry are synthesized with different aluminum: alkaline earth metal (beryllium and strontium) 0.1 atomic weight ratio step. Hydrogen storage nanoparticles (beryllium hydride-strontium hydride-strontium alanate) have orthorhombic crystal structure, with one step dissociation near 150 °C with ~8 wt% hydrogen in alane to one step in BeH2 at 250 °C with 18 wt%, to a one step in SrH2 at 240 °C with 2.1 wt%, and two steps in strontium alanate at 147 and 240 °C with 1.1 and 5.1 wt%. Particles are near 20–70 nm with small crystallite sizes about 6–21 nm in all hydride, alanate and residual ((metallic aluminum and beryllium) and alloyed aluminum, AlSr, Al4Sr, Al2Sr intermetallic) phases. Results indicate a controllable process for hydride and alanates nanopowders formation with exact dissociation temperatures/hydrogen release. Nanoparticles show consistent reversibility and cyclic behavior without reducing storage capacity, suitable for concentrating solar power applications.