Hydrogen storage, fullerene, LiBH 4 , nanocomposite, fullerane Reversible hydrogen storage in a LiBH 4 :C 60 nanocomposite (70:30 wt. %) synthesized by solvent-assisted mixing has been demonstrated. D uring the solvent-assisted mixing and nanocomposite formation, a chemical reaction occurs in which the C 60 cages are significantly modified by polymerization as well as by hydrogenation (fullerane formation) in the presence of LiBH 4 . We have determined that two distinct hydrogen desorption events are observed upon rehydrogenation of the material, which are attributed to the reversible formation of a fullerane (C 60 H x ) as well as a LiBH 4 species. This system is unique in that the carbon species (C 60 ) actively participates in the hydrogen storage process which differs from the common practice of 2 melt infiltration of high surface area carbon materials with LiBH 4 (nanoconfinment effect). This nanocomposite demonstrated good reversible hydrogen storage properties as well as the ability to absorb hydrogen under mild conditions (pressures as low as 10 bar H 2 or temperatures as low as 150°C). The nanocomposite was characterized by TGA-RGA, DSC, XRD, LDI-TOF-MS, FT-IR, 1 H NMR, and APPI MS.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.