Patent ID: 7811957

Claim:
A composition of matter having an atomic co-ordination characterized by the following structural formula: M-H-E, wherein: M is selected from the group consisting of a metal, a metalloid, an alloy of a metal, an alloy of a metalloid, a compound of a metal and a compound of a metalloid; H is hydrogen; E is an electronegative element; and hydrogen bonding exists between one of (a) H and E, and (b) M and H; and wherein the composition is prepared in accordance with a method comprising: (a) combining M with a source of H, to form a first intermediate; (b) milling the first intermediate in a high energy ball mill under an inert oxygen-free atmosphere to effect a reaction between M and H to form a second intermediate; (c) combining the second intermediate with a source of E, to form a third intermediate, wherein the molar ratio of E to M is less than 1:1; and (d) milling the third intermediate in a high energy ball mill under an inert reducing agent-free atmosphere to effect a reaction between the second intermediate and E.