A facile two-step synthesis and dehydrogenation properties of NaAlH4 catalyzed with Co–B

Co–B doped NaAlH4 is successfully synthesized by two-step synthesis process. The first activation step is milling NaH/Al powder and Co–B mixtures under Ar atmosphere. The second step is milling in a lower hydrogen pressure atmosphere. XRD patterns and FTIR spectrum demonstrate that NaAlH4 is completely formed after 15 h milling in Ar atmosphere following by 40 h milling in 2 MPa H2 atmosphere. PCT curves of as-prepared NaAlH4 show that it can release hydrogen at a low temperature of 90 °C. The activation energy value calculated by Arrhenius equation is only 67.95 kJ mol−1. Moreover, the formation mechanism of NaAlH4 is also discussed.