The Particle-Size Dependence of the Activation Energy for Decomposition of Lithium Amide

摘要

Lithium amide (LiNH2) is a promising material for reversible hydrogen storage, yet the atomistic mechanisms behind the decomposition and dehydrogenation processes of LiNH2 are unknown. It has been observed that the activation energy for LiNH2 decomposition strongly varies with ball milling, thus suggesting that the thermodynamics and kinetics of the decomposition depend on the particle size. The high surface-to-volume ratio of nanoparticles that result from the ball-milling process not only leads to an increase in the number of surface-active sites for reaction, but may also affect the actual reaction mechanisms.