I11-High Resolution Powder Diffraction
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Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[21804]
Abstract: Complex metal hydrides are a fascinating and continuously expanding class of materials with many properties relevant for solid-state hydrogen and ammonia storage and solid-state electrolytes. The crystal structures are often investigated using powder X-ray diffraction (PXD), which can be ambiguous. Here, we revisit the crystal structure of Y(11BD4)3·3ND3 with the use of neutron diffraction, which, in comparison to previous PXD studies, provides accurate information about the D positions in the compound. Upon cooling to 10 K, the compound underwent a polymorphic transition, and a new monoclinic low-temperature polymorph denoted as α-Y(11BD4)3·3ND3 was discovered. Furthermore, the series of Y(11BH4)3·xNH3 (x = 0, 3, and 7) were also investigated with inelastic neutron scattering and infrared spectroscopy techniques, which provided information of the local coordination environment of the 11BH4– and NH3 groups and unique insights into the hydrogen dynamics. Partial deuteration using ND3 in Y(11BH4)3·xND3 (x = 3 and 7) allowed for an unambiguous assignment of the vibrational bands corresponding to the NH3 and 11BH4– in Y(11BH4)3·xNH3, due to the much larger neutron scattering cross section of H compared to D. The vibrational spectra of Y(11BH4)3·xNH3 could roughly be divided into three regions: (i) below 55 meV, containing mainly 11BH4– librational motions, (ii) 55–130 meV, containing mainly NH3 librational motions, and (iii) above 130 meV, containing 11B–H and N–H bending and stretching motions.
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Jul 2021
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I11-High Resolution Powder Diffraction
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Open Access
Abstract: The structure and reorientational dynamics of KB3H8 were studied by using quasielastic and inelastic neutron scattering, Raman spectroscopy, first-principles calculations, differential scanning calorimetry, and in situ synchrotron radiation powder X-ray diffraction. The results reveal the existence of a previously unknown polymorph in between the α′- and β-polymorphs. Furthermore, it was found that the [B3H8]− anion undergoes different reorientational motions in the three polymorphs α, α′, and β. In α-KB3H8, the [B3H8]− anion performs 3-fold rotations in the plane created by the three boron atoms, which changes to a 2-fold rotation around the C2 symmetry axis of the [B3H8]− anion upon transitioning to α′-KB3H8. After transitioning to β-KB3H8, the [B3H8]− anion performs 4-fold rotations in the plane created by the three boron atoms, which indicates that the local structure of β-KB3H8 deviates from the global cubic NaCl-type structure. The results also indicate that the high reorientational mobility of the [B3H8]− anion facilitates the K+ cation conductivity, since the 2-orders-of-magnitude increase in the anion reorientational mobility observed between 297 and 311 K coincides with a large increase in K+ conductivity.
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Feb 2021
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I11-High Resolution Powder Diffraction
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Abstract: Ammine metal borohydrides display extreme structural and compositional diversity and show potential applications for solid-state hydrogen and ammonia storage and as solid-state electrolytes. Thirty-two new compounds are reported in this work, and trends in the full series of ammine rare-earth-metal borohydrides are discussed. The majority of the rare-earth metals (RE) form trivalent RE(BH4)3·xNH3 (x = 7–1) compounds, which possess an intriguing crystal chemistry changing with the number of ammonia ligands, varying from structures built from complex ions (x = 5–7), to molecular structures (x = 3, 4), one-dimensional chains (x = 2), and structures built from two-dimensional layers (x = 1). Divalent RE(BH4)2·xNH3 (x = 4, 2, 1) compounds are observed for RE2+ = Sm, Eu, Yb, with structures varying from molecular structures (x = 4) to two-dimensional layered (x = 2, 1) and three-dimensional structures (Yb(BH4)2·NH3). The crystal structure and composition of the compounds depend on the volume of the rare-earth ion. In all structures, NH3 coordinates to the metal, while BH4– has a more flexible coordination and is observed as a bridging and terminal ligand and as a counterion. RE(BH4)3·xNH3 (x = 7–5, 4) releases NH3 stepwise during thermal treatment, while mainly H2 is released for x ≤ 3. In contrast, only NH3 is released from RE(BH4)2·xNH3 due to the lower charge density on the RE2+ ion and higher stability of RE(BH4)2. The thermal stability of RE(BH4)3·xNH3 increase with increasing cation charge density for x = 5, 7, while it decreases for x = 4, 6. For x = 3, the thermal stability decreases with increasing charge density, due to the destabilization of the BH4– group, making it more reactive toward NH3. This research provides a large number of novel compounds and new insight into trends in the crystal chemistry of ammine metal borohydrides and reveals a correlation between the local metal coordination and the thermal stability.
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Jan 2021
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I11-High Resolution Powder Diffraction
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Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[12714, 14015]
Abstract: Metal borohydrides are a fascinating and continuously expanding class of materials, showing promising applications within many different fields of research. This study presents 17 derivatives of the hydrogen-rich ammonium borohydride, NH4BH4, which all exhibit high gravimetric hydrogen densities (>9.2 wt % of H2). A detailed insight into the crystal structures combining X-ray diffraction and density functional theory calculations exposes an intriguing structural variety ranging from three-dimensional (3D) frameworks, 2D-layered, and 1D-chainlike structures to structures built from isolated complex anions, in all cases containing NH4+ countercations. Dihydrogen interactions between complex NH4+ and BH4– ions contribute to the structural diversity and flexibility, while inducing an inherent instability facilitating hydrogen release. The thermal stability of the ammonium metal borohydrides, as a function of a range of structural properties, is analyzed in detail. The Pauling electronegativity of the metal, the structural dimensionality, the dihydrogen bond length, the relative amount of NH4+ to BH4–, and the nearest coordination sphere of NH4+ are among the most important factors. Hydrogen release usually occurs in three steps, involving new intermediate compounds, observed as crystalline, polymeric, and amorphous materials. This research provides new opportunities for the design and tailoring of novel functional materials with interesting properties.
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Aug 2020
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I11-High Resolution Powder Diffraction
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Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[15781, 17433]
Abstract: Metal closo-borates have recently received significant attention due to their potential applications as solid-state ionic conductors. Here, the synthesis, crystal structures, and properties of (NH4)2B10H10·xNH3 (x = 1/2, 1 (α and β)) and (NH4)2B12H12·xNH3 (x = 1 and 2) are reported. In situ synchrotron radiation powder X-ray diffraction allows for the investigation of structural changes as a function of temperature. The structures contain the complex cation N2H7+, which is rarely observed in solid materials, but can be important for proton conductivity. The structures are optimized by density functional theory (DFT) calculations to validate the structural models and provide detailed information about the hydrogen positions. Furthermore, the hydrogen dynamics of the complex cation N2H7+ are studied by molecular dynamics simulations, which reveals several events of a proton transfer within the N2H7+ units. The thermal properties are investigated by thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry coupled with mass spectrometry, revealing that NH3 is released stepwise, which results in the formation of (NH4)2BnHn (n = 10 and 12) during heating. The proton conductivity of (NH4)2B12H12·xNH3 (x = 1 and 2) determined by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy is low but orders of magnitude higher than that of pristine (NH4)2B12H12. The thermal stability of the complex cation N2H7+ is high, up to 170 °C, which may provide new possible applications of these proton-rich materials.
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Jul 2020
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I11-High Resolution Powder Diffraction
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Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[21804]
Open Access
Abstract: This paper describes the synthesis, crystal structure, and NH3 sorption properties of Mg1-xMnx(NH3)6Cl2 (x = 0–1) mixed metal halide ammines, with reversible NH3 storage capacity in the temperature range 20–350 °C. The stoichiometry (x) dependent NH3 desorption temperatures were monitored using in situ synchrotron radiation powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. The thermal analyses reveal that the NH3 release temperatures decrease in the mixed metal halide ammines in comparison to pure Mg(NH3)6Cl2, approaching the values of Mn(NH3)6Cl2. Desorption occurs in three steps of four, one and one NH3 moles, with the corresponding activation energies of 54.8 kJ⋅mol-1, 73.2 kJ⋅mol-1 and 91.0 kJ⋅mol-1 in Mg0.5Mn0.5(NH3)6Cl2, which is significantly lower than the NH3 release activation energies of Mg(NH3)6Cl2 (Ea = 60.8 kJ⋅mol-1, 74.8 kJ⋅mol-1 and 91.8 kJ⋅mol-1). This work shows that Mg1-xMnx(NH3)yCl2 (x = 0 to 1, y = 0 to 6) is stable within the investigated temperature range (20–350 °C) and also upon NH3 cycling.
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May 2020
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I11-High Resolution Powder Diffraction
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Abstract: Hemiammine lithium borohydride, LiBH4·1/2NH3, is characterized and a new Li+ conductivity mechanism is identified. It exhibits a Li+ conductivity of 7 × 10−4 S cm−1 at 40 °C in the solid state and 3.0 × 10−2 S cm−1 at 55 °C after melting. The molten state of LiBH4·1/2NH3 has a high viscosity and can be mechanically stabilized in nano-composites with inert metal oxides and other hydrides making it a promising battery electrolyte.
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Apr 2020
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I11-High Resolution Powder Diffraction
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Abstract: Light weight and cheap electrolytes with fast multi-valent ion conductivity can pave the way for future high-energy density solid-state batteries, beyond the lithium-ion battery. Here we present the mechanism of Mg-ion conductivity of monoammine magnesium borohydride, Mg(BH4)2·NH3. Density functional theory calculations (DFT) reveal that the neutral molecule (NH3) in Mg(BH4)2·NH3 is exchanged between the lattice and interstitial Mg2+ facilitated by a highly flexible structure, mainly owing to a network of di-hydrogen bonds, N–Hδ+⋯−δH–B and the versatile coordination of the BH4− ligand. DFT shows that di-hydrogen bonds in inorganic matter and hydrogen bonds in bio-materials have similar bond strengths and bond lengths. As a result of the high structural flexibiliy, the Mg-ion conductivity is dramatically improved at moderate temperature, e.g. σ(Mg2+) = 3.3 × 10−4 S cm−1 at T = 80 °C for Mg(BH4)2·NH3, which is approximately 8 orders of magnitude higher than that of Mg(BH4)2. Our results may inspire a new approach for the design and discovery of unprecedented multivalent ion conductors.
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Mar 2020
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I11-High Resolution Powder Diffraction
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Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[15781]
Abstract: Rare-earth borohydrides have recently attracted a strong interest as potential hydrogen storage materials. While the local structure of the BH4− ion can be probed using vibrational spectroscopy, the local structure of the rare-earth ion can be studied using luminescence spectroscopy. This is reported here for Tb(BH4)3 and its solvate with S(CH3)2. The spectra clearly show smaller CF splittings for the unsolvated compound. These experimental data are compared with recent DFT + U calculations of the energy levels and CF splittings for Tb(BH4)3 and show that these calculations significantly overestimate the experimental results.
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Jan 2020
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I11-High Resolution Powder Diffraction
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Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[17433]
Abstract: Octahydridoborate, i.e. [B3H8]− containing compounds, have recently attracted interest for hydrogen storage. In the present study, the structural, hydrogen storage, and ion conductivity properties of KB3H8 have been systematically investigated. Two distinct polymorphic transitions are identified for KB3H8 from a monoclinic (α) to an orthorhombic (α′) structure at 15 °C via a second-order transition and eventually to a cubic (β) structure at 30 °C by a first-order transition. The β-polymorph of KB3H8 displays a high degree of disorder of the [B3H8]− anion, which facilitates increased cation mobility, reaching a K+ conductivity of ∼10−7 S cm−1 above 100 °C. β-KB3H8 starts to release hydrogen at ∼160 °C, simultaneously with the release of B5H9 and trace amounts of B2H6. KBH4 and K3(BH4)(B12H12) are identified as crystalline decomposition products above 200 °C, and the formation of a KBH4 deficient structure of K3−x(BH4)1−x(B12H12) is observed at elevated temperature. The hydrogen-uptake properties of a KB3H8–2KH composite have been examined under 380 bar H2, resulting in the formation of KBH4 at T ≥ 150 °C along with higher metal hydridoborates, i.e. K2B9H9, K2B10H10, and K2B12H12.
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May 2019
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