Catalyst-free synthesis of lithium hydride at room temperature.

An organic solvent-assisted catalyst-free mechanochemical reaction is developed to synthesize lithium hydride at mild gas pressures and room temperature. Studies show that the formation of intermediates on the surface of bulk lithium metal is crucial for the synthesis of high purity (>98%) LiH. This provides a new strategy for the large-scale production of lithium-based hydrogen storage materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]