Molecular aluminum hydrides identified by inelastic neutron scattering during H-2 regeneration of catalyst-doped NaAlH4

Fu, Q.J., Ramirez-Cuesta, A.J. and Tsang, S.C. (2006) Molecular aluminum hydrides identified by inelastic neutron scattering during H-2 regeneration of catalyst-doped NaAlH4. Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 110 (2). pp. 711-715. ISSN 1520-6106 doi: 10.1021/jp055238u

Abstract/Summary

Catalyst-doped sodium aluminum hydrides have been intensively studied as solid hydrogen carriers for onboard proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Although the importance of catalyst choice in enhancing kinetics for both hydrogen uptake and release of this hydride material has long been recognized, the nature of the active species and the mechanism of catalytic action are unclear. We have shown by inelastic neutron scattering (INS) spectroscopy that a volatile molecular aluminum hydride is formed during the early stage of H-2 re-eneration of a depleted, catalyst-doped sodium aluminum hydride. Computational modeling of the INS spectra suggested the formation of AlH3 and oligomers (AlH3)(n) (Al2H6, Al3H9, and Al4H12 clusters), which are pertinent to the mechanism of hydrogen storage. This paper demonstrates, for the first time, the existence of these volatile species.