- Main features
- Recommendations in case of contact
- In contact with the eyes
- In contact with the skin
- Inhalation
- Properties
- Applications
- References
The aluminum hydride is a metal hydride compound with the formula AlH 3. It is formed by an aluminum atom, of group IIIA; and three hydrogen atoms, of group IA.
The result is a highly reactive white powder that combines with other metals to form high hydrogen content materials.
Some examples of aluminum hydride are as follows:
- LiAlH4 (lithium aluminum hydride)
- NaAlH4 (sodium aluminum hydride)
- Li3AlH6 (Lithium tetrahydridoaluminate)
- Na2AlH6
- Mg (AH4) 2
- Ca (AlH4) 2
Main features
Aluminum hydride occurs as a white powder. Its solid structure crystallizes in a hexagonal way.
It is highly toxic as it can be harmful when breathed in or consumed, and can cause skin irritations when in contact.
In addition, it is a flammable and reactive material that ignites spontaneously with air.
Recommendations in case of contact
The recommendations in case of contact made by various organizations such as OSHA or ACGIH are the following:
In contact with the eyes
Rinse thoroughly with cold water for ten to fifteen minutes, taking care that the eyelids are also cleaned. Consult a doctor.
In contact with the skin
Remove contaminated clothing and wash with plenty of soap and water.
Inhalation
Leave the place of exposure and go immediately to a place of medical attention for professional help.
Properties
- It has a great capacity to store hydrogen atoms.
- It comes in a temperature range of 150 and 1500 ° K.
- Its heat capacity (Cp) at 150 ° K is 32,482 J / molK.
- Its heat capacity (Cp) at 1500 ° K is 69.53 J / molK.
- Its molecular weight is 30.0054 g / mol.
- It is a reducing agent by nature.
- It is highly reactive.
- The metallic compounds with which it forms bonds tend to store more hydrogen atoms. For example, lithium aluminum hydride (Li3AlH6) is a very good hydrogen store because of the valence of the bonds and because it has six hydrogen atoms.
Applications
Aluminum hydride has strongly attracted the attention of the scientific community as an agent for forming hydrogen stores at low temperatures in fuel cells.
It is also used as an explosive agent in fireworks and is used in rocket fuel.
Also, it is used as a reactive material in the chemical industry for different products.
References
- Li, L., Cheng, X., Niu, F., Li, J., & Zhao, X. (2014). Pyrolysis characteristic of AlH3 / GAP system. Hanneng Cailiao / Chinese Journal of Energetic Materials, 22 (6), 762-766. doi: 10.11943 / j.issn.1006-9941.2014.06.010
- Graetz, J., & Reilly, J. (2005). Decomposition kinetics of the AlH3 polymorphs. Journal of Physical Chemistry b, 109 (47), 22181-22185. doi: 10.1021 / jp0546960
- Bogdanović, B., Eberle, U., Felderhoff, M., & Schüth, F. (2007). Complex aluminum hydrides. Scripta Materialia, 56 (10), 813-816. doi: 10.1016 / j.scriptamat.2007.01.004
- Lopinti, K. (2005). Aluminum hydride. Synlett, (14), 2265-2266. doi: 10.1055 / s-2005-872265
- Felderhoff, M. (2012). Functional materials for hydrogen storage. () doi: 10.1533 / 9780857096371.2.217
- Bismuth, A., Thomas, SP, & Cowley, MJ (2016). Aluminum hydride catalyzed hydroboration of alkynes. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 55 (49), 15356-15359. doi: 10.1002 / anie.201609690
- Cao, Z., Ouyang, L., Wang, H., Liu, J., Felderhoff, M., & Zhu, M. (2017). Reversible hydrogen storage in yttrium aluminum hydride. Journal of Materials Chemistry a, 5 (13), 6042-6046. doi: 10.1039 / c6ta10928d
- Yang, Z., Zhong, M., Ma, X., De, S., Anusha, C., Parameswaran, P., & Roesky, HW (2015). An aluminum hydride that functions like a transition-metal catalyst. Angewandte Chemie, 127 (35), 10363. doi: 10.1002 / ange.201503304