Hydrogen storage in light alkali-cluster intercalated fullerides

This work was focused on the study of a new class of hydrogen storage materials, the lithium and sodium intercalated fullerides. In these compounds is possible to store up to 5 mass% H2 at moderate temperature. The structural properties were investigated by means of neutron and synchrotron powder diffraction and Pair Distribution Function analysis (PDF). The absorption properties were studied by means of pressure-composition isotherms (pcT) and the hydrogenation mechanism was investigated by means of Muon Spin Relaxation (µSR). The main outcome of this thesis is to have shown that the presence of an alkali cluster, intercalated in the voids of C60 lattice, improves the leading mechanism of hydrogen dissociation while the charged state of C60 is responsible for the hydrogen chemisorption.