Hydrogen production performance of lithium hydride doped with solid acids or strong acid–weak base salts.

Lithium hydride (LiH) is a promising material for the production of hydrogen via hydrolysis. However, the formation of lithium hydroxide (LiOH) during the hydrolysis process hinders contact between the remaining LiH and water, retarding the hydrolysis reaction and increasing the actual amount of water required. Through this study, it is demonstrated that an increase in the hydrogen ion concentration can improve the hydrolysis of LiH. When the hydrogen ion concentration reaches 1 mol L−1, the maximum hydrolysis rate is 232.6 mL min−1, and the H 2 generation yield reaches 2102.8 mL. Additionally, we investigated the effects of doping solid acids and strong acid–weak base salts on LiH hydrolysis. Experimental results indicate that the addition of solid acids led to a hydrogen generation behavior similar to that with acid solutions. In particular, after the addition of oxalic acid, the maximum hydrolysis rate attained was 362.0 mL min−1, and the H 2 generation yield reached 2108.3 mL. After the addition of dl -malic acid, citric acid and dl -tartaric acid, the maximum hydrolysis rate attained were 173.1, 170.0 and 255.8 mL min−1, respectively. Under alkaline conditions, the hydrolysis of strong acid–weak base salts was enhanced, and the released hydrogen ions consumed LiOH, thereby increasing the rate of LiH hydrolysis. After the addition of CuSO 4 , the maximum hydrolysis rate attained was 403.8 mL min−1, and the H 2 generation yield attaining 2036.0 mL. After the addition of AlCl 3 and FeCl 3 , the maximum hydrolysis rate attained were 212.5 and 221.3 mL min−1. Thus, an increase in the concentration of hydrogen ions and the addition of solid acids and strong acid–weak base salts are effective techniques for reducing the adverse effects of LiOH formation on LiH hydrolysis for hydrogen production. [Display omitted] • Methods to mitigate the impact of LiOH on LiH hydrolysis are researched. • The addition of solid acids and strong acid-weak base salts enhance the hydrolysis rate of LiH. • The addition of CuSO 4 resulted in the maximum hydrolysis rate reaching 403.8 mL min−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]