Altered reaction pathways of eutectic LiBH4-Mg(BH4)2 by nanoconfinement

The effects of nanoconfinement on the dehydrogenation rate and reaction pathways of the eutectic LiBH4-Mg(BH4)(2) have been comprehensively investigated. By means of thermal analysis, mass spectroscopy and solid state B-11 MAS NMR, it has been revealed that the multistep thermal decomposition pattern of the binary LiBH4-Mg(BH4)(2) has been altered in a two-step reaction and the desorption kinetics has also been significantly improved after infiltration. The formation of diborane and stable MnB12H12 intermediates of the bulk LiBH4-Mg(BH4)(2) has been found to be inhibited by nanoconfinement.