Low-pressure Structural Modification of Aluminum Hydride

Abstract

In-situ isothermal high-pressure synchrotron x-ray diffraction and optical Raman spectroscopy were used to examine the structural properties, equation of state, and vibrational dynamics of alpha-aluminum hydride (AlH3). The x-ray measurements show that the pressure-volume relations remain smooth to near 50 GPa. Although there is no evidence for a first-order phase transition, the unit cell axial ratio (c/a) is anomalous near 2.5 GPa, which correspond to the onset of a monoclinic structural distortion. Infrared measurements conducted within a similar pressure range show a distinct discontinuity in the frequencies of the Al-H lattice modes. The combined data provide evidence for a monoclinic structural distortion beginning near 2.5 GPa. The results are consistent with recent synchrotron x-ray diffraction measurements and theoretical calculations. All structural changes are reversible upon pressure release.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 2011
Accession Number
ADA538064

Entities

People

  • Jennifer A Ciezak-Jenkins

Organizations

  • United States Army Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aluminum
  • Aluminum Hydride
  • Diffraction
  • Discontinuities
  • Distortion
  • Equations
  • Frequency
  • Frequency Shift
  • High Pressure
  • Hydrides
  • Measurement
  • Phase Transformations
  • Spectra
  • Spectroscopy
  • Transitions
  • X Rays
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Combustion Dynamics and Shock Wave Physics.
  • Electrochemical Engineering/ Fuel Cell Technologies
  • Materials Science and Engineering.