A nanoparticle of a decomposition product of a transition metal aluminum hydride compound, a transition metal borohydride compound, or a transition metal gallium hydride compound. A process of: reacting a transition metal salt with an aluminum hydride compound, a borohydride compound, or a gallium hydride compound to produce one or more of the nanoparticles. The reaction occurs in solution while being sonicated at a temperature at which the metal hydride compound decomposes. A process of: reacting a nanoparticle with a compound containing at least two hydroxyl groups to form a coating having multi-dentate metal-alkoxides.

A transition metal amino borohydride material includes a first row transition metal in conjunction with an amine ligand and borohydride, in a condition of having been thermally treated to a temperature of at least 70 C. and up to but not including 800 C. An exemplary such material, Fe(DETA)(BH.sub.4).sub.2 having been heat treated at 300 C., had good hydrogen storage characteristics.

A transition metal amino borohydride material includes a first row transition metal in conjunction with an amine ligand and borohydride, in a condition of having been thermally treated to a temperature of at least 70 C. and up to but not including 800 C. An exemplary such material, Fe(DETA)(BH.sub.4).sub.2 having been heat treated at 300 C., had good hydrogen storage characteristics.

A nanoparticle of a decomposition product of a transition metal aluminum hydride compound, a transition metal borohydride compound, or a transition metal gallium hydride compound. A process of: reacting a transition metal salt with an aluminum hydride compound, a borohydride compound, or a gallium hydride compound to produce one or more of the nanoparticles. The reaction occurs in solution while being sonicated at a temperature at which the metal hydride compound decomposes. A process of: reacting a nanoparticle with a compound containing at least two hydroxyl groups to form a coating having multi-dentate metal-alkoxides.

The invention relates to mixed metal borohydrides used for solid hydrogen storage. The mixed metal borohydrides are synthesized through solution synthesis using multiple metal borohydrides. First and second precursor solutions are prepared and combined to create a mixture in which the mixed metal borohydride is formed. The solvent is removed, leaving the mixed metal borohydride. The first precursor solution consisting essentially of lithium borohydride, and the second precursor solution consisting essentially of a borohydride compound containing one or more metal cations selected from the group of metals consisting of sodium, magnesium, calcium and titanium.

The invention relates to mixed metal borohydrides used for solid hydrogen storage. The mixed metal borohydrides are synthesized through solution synthesis using multiple metal borohydrides. First and second precursor solutions are prepared and combined to create a mixture in which the mixed metal borohydride is formed. The solvent is removed, leaving the mixed metal borohydride. The first precursor solution consisting essentially of lithium borohydride, and the second precursor solution consisting essentially of a borohydride compound containing one or more metal cations selected from the group of metals consisting of sodium, magnesium, calcium and titanium.

Reagent complexes have two or more elements, formally in oxidation state zero, complexed with a hydride molecule. Complexation with the hydride molecule may be evidenced by shifts to lower binding energies, of one or more electrons in each of the two or more elements, as observed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The reagents can be useful for the synthesis of multi-element nanoparticles. Preparation of the reagents can be achieved by ball-milling a mixture that includes powders of two or more elements and a hydride molecule.

Reagent complexes have two or more elements, formally in oxidation state zero, complexed with a hydride molecule. Complexation with the hydride molecule may be evidenced by shifts to lower binding energies, of one or more electrons in each of the two or more elements, as observed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The reagents can be useful for the synthesis of multi-element nanoparticles. Preparation of the reagents can be achieved by ball-milling a mixture that includes powders of two or more elements and a hydride molecule.

A method releases hydrogen by forming a second ionic liquid from a first ionic liquid by releasing hydrogen from the first ionic liquid by exposing the first ionic liquid to water and a catalyst. The first ionic liquid includes a cation and an anion including a borohydride. The release of the hydrogen forms a borate, which makes up the anion of the second ionic liquid. The cation of the first ionic liquid is the same as that of the second ionic liquid. A reaction system includes the first and second ionic liquids, water and a catalyst.