Structural, energetic and thermodynamic analyses of Ca(BH{sub 4}){sub 2}{center_dot}2NH{sub 3} from first principles calculations
Ca(BH{sub 4}){sub 2}{center_dot}2NH{sub 3} is a relatively new compound with potential application in hydrogen storage. Here the fundamental properties of the compound, such as electronic structure, energetic and thermodynamic properties, were comprehensively studied using first-principles calculations. Results from electronic density of states (DOS) and electron localization function (ELF) indicate the covalent bond nature of the N-H bond and the B-H bond. Charge density analyses show weak ionic interactions between the Ca atom and the NH{sub 3} complexes or the (BH{sub 4}){sup -} complexes. The calculated vibration frequencies of B-H and N-H are in good agreement with other theoretical and experimental results. Furthermore, we calculated the reaction enthalpy and reaction Gibbs free energy at a range of temperature 0-700 K. Our results are in good agreement with experimental results in literature. Possible reaction mechanism of the decomposition reaction is proposed. - Graphical Abstract: The crystal structure of this compound and the calculated decomposition reaction free energy for two different reactions: Reac(2):Ca(BH{sub 4}){sub 2} Dot-Operator 2NH{sub 3} Long-Rightwards-Arrow {sup 162 Degree-Sign C}Ca(BH{sub 4}){sub 2} Dot-Operator NH{sub 3}+NH{sub 3} Long-Rightwards-Arrow {sup 230 Degree-Sign C}Ca(BH{sub 4}){sub 2}+2NH{sub 3} Reac(3):Ca(BH{sub 4}){sub 2} Dot-Operator 2NH{sub 3} Long-Rightwards-Arrow {sup 190 Degree-Sign C}1/4Ca(BH{sub 4}){sub 2}+1/4Ca{sub 3}(BN{sub 2}){sub 2}+BN+6H{sub 2}. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Crystal structure of this compound was studied in detail. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Electronic properties were calculated for the first time. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Phonon density of states and reaction free energy at different temperatures were first calculated. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Possible decomposition mechanism was presented.