H2 thermal desorption and hydride conversion reactions in Li cells of TiH2/C amorphous nanocomposites.

Here we investigate the properties of amorphous TiH2/carbon nanocomposites as possible active material in lithium cells. Several TiH2/C mixtures are prepared by a mechanochemical route, by varying the carbon/hydride ratio. Materials are tested in electrochemical cells versus lithium metal in EC:DMC LiPF6 electrolyte by galvanostatic cycling (GC) and are characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetry and mass spectrometry. Thermal dehydrogenation processes are altered by the mechanochemical treatment of the sample: milling decreases the hydrogen content of the hydride. On the other hand, the mechanochemical grinding increases the specific capacity delivered during the first GC discharge.