Can nitrogen-based complex hydrides be a hydrogen isotope separation material?

Abstract

A nitrogen-based complex hydride is investigated for hydrogen isotope separation for the first time. The experimental results show that a lithium amide–lithium hydride composite (Li–N–H) possesses a distinct positive isotope effect with a separation factor of 1.42. The H–D exchange process in this system occurs at 373 K and can be accelerated with the increase of temperature.