Isothermal decomposition of LiAlD4 with and without additives

The isothermal decompositions of pure LiAlD4 and LiAlD4 ball-milled with VCl3 and TiC13.(1/3)(AlC13) have been studied by synchrotron X-ray diffraction. The changes of the different phases are examined during the decomposition and the activation energies and kinetics parameters are derived. Two periods of decomposition are observed. The first is an induction period governed by the nucleation of new phases. The second is the main decomposition period where the apparent activation energies and the kinetics are affected by the additives. VC13 appears to be a better additive in regard of decreasing the apparent activation energy and enhancing the kinetics of the decomposition.