Alkali Oxide Addition Effects on Borohydride Formation during the Reaction of Al, Si, and Ti with Borate and Hydrogen

Abstract

New attempts were made to produce alkali metal borohydrides by reacting sodium borates with hydrogen and Al, Si, or Ti. In addition, alkali oxide additions to the aforementioned mixtures were investigated to determine their effects on BH4− formation. It was found that BH4− was not formed by the reaction of NaBO2 with hydrogen and Al, Si, or Ti but can be formed after adding alkali oxides. In general, it was reconfirmed that alkali oxide addition played a very important role in BH4− formation. For example, when K2O was added to sodium borate, KBH4 and not NaBH4 was formed.