NiCo nanoalloy encapsulated in graphene layers for improving hydrogen storage properties of LiAlH(4)

NiCo nanoalloy (4–6 nm) encapsulated in grapheme layers (NiCo@G) has been prepared by thermolysis of a 3D bimetallic complex CoCo[Ni(EDTA)](2)·4H(2)O and successfully employed as a catalyst to improve the dehydrogenation performances of LiAlH(4) by solid ball-milling. NiCo@G presents a superior catalytic effect on the dehydrogenation of LiAlH(4). For LiAlH(4) doped with 1 wt% NiCo@G (LiAlH(4)-1 wt% NiCo@G), the onset dehydrogenation temperature of LiAlH(4) is as low as 43 °C, which is 109 °C lower than that of pristine LiAlH(4). 7.3 wt% of hydrogen can be released from LiAlH(4)-1 wt% NiCo@G at 150 °C within 60 min. The activation energies of LiAlH(4) dehydrogenation are extremely reduced by 1 wt% NiCo@G doping.