Catalytic effect of MWCNTs on the dehydrogenation behavior of LiAlH4

Abstract Dehydrogenation behavior of LiAlH 4 (lithium alanate) admixed with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was investigated by using high-pressure thermal gravimetric analysis (HPTGA) and in-situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. HPTGA results indicated that MWCNTs play a catalytic role in the dehydrogenation of LiAlH 4 , subsequently decreasing the dehydrogenation temperature and improving the desorption kinetics. With the proper amount of MWCNT, the initial dehydrogenation temperature of LiAlH 4 decreased by approximately 60 °C. Furthermore, in-situ synchrotron XRD analysis confirmed the dehydrogenation reaction products and paths of LiAlH 4 , with and without MWCNT addition.