Lightweight hydrogen-storage material Mg0.65Sc0.35D2 studied with 2H and 2H–{45Sc} MAS NMR exchange spectroscopy

Using double-quantum 2H MAS NMR with 45Sc recoupling and Bloch–Siegert compensated 2H–{45Sc} TRAPDOR we have identified the overlapping NMR signals of deuterium with and without scandium neighbors in Mg0.65Sc0.35D2, a candidate lightweight material for hydrogen storage. At room temperature we also observe a third type of mobile deuterium. Deuterium mobility among the three NMR-distinct sites has been investigated by means of one-and two-dimensional exchange spectroscopy (Exsy). Complete deuterium exchange within 0.1 s is observed, which indicates that the three NMR-distinct sites are close together in the crystal lattice. The weak temperature- and MAS-rate dependences observed in Exsy are indicative for a combination of chemical exchange and spin diffusion.