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

Abstract

The dehydriding reaction of α-AlH3 induced by high-energy electron irradiation was observed in situ by transmission electron microscopy and associated electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS). An α-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 α-AlH3 particles at ambient temperature.