| Sumario: | The direct synthesis of LiAlH from commercially available LiH and Al powders in the presence of TiCl and MeO has been achieved for the first time. The effects of TiCl loadings (Ti/Al = 0, 0.01, 0.05, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0%) and various other additives (TiCl/AlO, metallic Ti, NbO, and NbCl) on the formation and stability of LiAlH have been systematically investigated. The yield of LiAlH initially increases, and then decreases, with increasing TiCl loadings. LiH + Al → LiAlH yields above 95% were obtained when the molar ratios of Ti/Al were 0.05 and 0.2%. In the presence of a very tiny amount of TiCl (Ti/Al = 0.01%), LiAlH is still generated, but the yield is lower. In the complete absence of TiCl, LiAlH does not form. Addition of metallic Ti, NbO, and NbCl to commercial LiH and Al does not result in the formation of LiAlH. Preliminary tests show that TiCl-doped LiAlH can be cycled, making it a suitable candidate for hydrogen storage.
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