Dehydriding process of α-AlH3 observed by transmission electron microscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy

The dehydriding reaction of alpha-AlH3 induced by high-energy electron irradiation was observed in situ by transmission electron microscopy and associated electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS). An alpha-AlH3 crystal decomposed into fine aluminum particles while retaining its initial external shape because of a thin rigid surface layer that covered the entire particle. EELS revealed that the thin surface layer was amorphous aluminum oxide, which stabilizes alpha-AlH3 particles at ambient temperature. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [DOI: 10.1063/1.3151958]