Light-Enabled Reversible Hydrogen Storage of Borohydrides Activated by Photogenerated Vacancies

Borohydrides, known for ultrahigh hydrogen density, are promising hydrogen storage materials but typically require high operating temperatures due to their strong thermodynamic stability. Here we introduce a novel light-induced destabilization mechanism for hydrogen storage reaction of borohydrides under ambient conditions via photogenerated vacancies in LiH. These vacancies thermodynamically destabilize B–H bonds through the spontaneous “strong adsorption” of BH4 groups, which trigger an asymmetric redistribution of electrons, enabling hydrogen release at near room temperature, approximately 300 °C lower than the corresponding thermal process. By utilizing specially designed “nano-photothermal reactors”,…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 22279020, U2130208
• SA
  Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality

  Award: 23ZR1406500
• NO
  National Outstanding Youth Foundation of China

  Award: 52125104
• NK
  National Key Research and Development Program of China

  Award: 2021YFB3802400