Improving solid-state hydriding and dehydriding properties of the LiBH sub(4) plus MgH sub(2) system with the addition of Mn and V dopants

The hydriding process of the 2LiH + MgB sub(2) mixture is controlled by outward diffusion of Mg and inward diffusion of Li and H within MgB sub(2) crystals to form LiBH sub(4). This study explores the feasibility of using transition metal dopants, such as Mn and V, to enhance the diffusion rate and thus the hydriding kinetics. It is found that Mn can indeed enhance the hydriding kinetics of the 2LiH + MgB sub(2) mixture, while V does not. The major factor in enhancing the diffusion rate and thus the hydriding kinetics is related to the dopant's ability to induce the lattice distortion of MgB sub(2) crystals. This study demonstrates that the kinetics of the diffusion controlled solid-state hydriding process can be improved by doping if the dopant is properly selected.