Optimizing Hydrogen Storage by Doping the LiBH4$+$MgH2 Reaction with Various Niobium Based Oxides

In this study, the effects of doping the dehydrogenation reaction of MgH2 $+$ 2LiBH4 was combined with 5 mole{\%} of three different Niobium based oxides (Nb2O5, NbO2, and LiNbO3). The compounds were mixed using high energy ball milling, and then heated using an air tight heating stage. We looked for changes in the Raman spectra as temperature increased (up to 350C) as an indication of hydrogen desorption reaction. We found that milled LiBH4 undergoes significant changes in Raman spectra during heating to 130C. MgH2 undergoes significant changes when comparing before and after milling---but in each case, the spectral peaks remain unchanged during heating to 350C. The sample with LiNbO3 exhibited a concrete change in Raman spectrum at 300 C while the sample doped with Nb2O5 underwent a change in spectra at 170C. The sample doped with NbO2 showed little change in spectra when the samples were heated up to 350C. Further studies are underway to examine the nature of the changes in the Raman spectra using X-ray diffraction and residual gas analysis.