Multi-component hydrogen storage material

1. A reversible hydrogen storage composition having an empirical formula of:

Li (x+z) N x Mg y B z H w

where 0.4≦x≦0.8; 0.2≦y≦0.6; 0≦z≦0.4 and w varies from 0 to 2x+2y+4z; and wherein x+y+z=1.

2. The composition of claim 1 where w has a value of 2x+2y+4z.

3. The composition of claim 1 where w has a value of 0.

4. A process for preparing a reversible hydrogen storage composition having an empirical formula of:

Li (x+z) N x Mg y B z H w

where 0.4≦x≦0.8; 0.2≦y≦0.6; 0<z≦0.4 and w varies from 0 to 2x+2y+4z and wherein x+y+z=1; the process comprising forming a reaction mixture comprising amide and hydride sources of Li, Mg and B and milling the mixture under an inert atmosphere for a time sufficient to form the reversible hydrogen storage composition.

5. The process of claim 4 where the sources of Li, Mg and B are selected from the group consisting of Li 2 NH, LiNH 2 , MgH 2 , Mg(BH 4 ) 2 , Li 3 N, LiMgN, Li 2 Mg(NH) 2 , Mg(NH 2 ) 2 , LiH and BH 3 NH 3 .

6. The process of claim 4 where the reaction mixture has a composition represented by an empirical formula of:

(LiNH 2 ) x (MgH 2 ) y (LiBH 4 ) z

where 0.4≦x≦0.8; 0.2≦y≦0.6; 0<z≦0.4 and x+y+z=1.

7. A process for generating a hydrogen stream comprising taking a hydrided reversible hydrogen storage composition having an empirical formula of:

Li (x+z) N x Mg y B z H w

where 0.4≦x≦0.8; 0.2≦y≦0.6; 0<z≦0.4 and w varies from greater than 0 to 2x+2y+4z and wherein x+y+z=1 and heating to a temperature from about 150° C. to about 250° C. thereby releasing hydrogen and providing a dehydrided composition.

8. The process of claim 7 further comprising taking the dehydrided composition and hydriding it by treating it with hydrogen at a temperature of about 75° C. to about 250° C., a pressure of about atmospheric to about 68,948 kPa of hydrogen for a time of about 1 minute to about 16 hours.

9. The process of claim 7 further comprising passing the hydrogen stream to a fuel cell to generate power.