LiNH2 is
of interest to several aspects of energy storage
such as reversible hydrogen storage, battery technology, catalysis,
and ammonia capture/storage. We investigated the impact of nanoconfinement
in carbon scaffolds on the hydrogen and ammonia release properties
of LiNH2 and its catalytic activity in NH3 decomposition.
Ammonia release from macrocrystalline LiNH2 begins at 350
°C, while confined LiNH2 releases ammonia from below
100 °C under helium flow. This ammonia release consisted of 30.5
wt % ammonia in the first cycle and was found to be partially reversible.
Above 300 °C, hydrogen is also released due to an irreversible
reaction between LiNH2 and the carbon support to form Li2NCN. Ni-doped LiNH2/C nanocomposites were active
in the catalytic decomposition of ammonia into N2 and H2 with 53% conversion at 400 °C and a gas hourly space
velocity of 13000 h–1. This is comparable to the
performance of a commercial-type Ru-based catalyst where 79% conversion
is observed under the same conditions. This work demonstrates that
nanoconfinement is effective for improving the functionality of LiNH2. The versatility of this system offers promise in a number
of different areas including hydrogen/ammonia storage and ammonia
decomposition catalysis.
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