Pyrolysis and Combustion of Metal Hydrides—Analysis by Kinetic Spectroscopy

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The flash‐pyrolytic decomposition of AlH3 and BeH2 has been studied by kinetic spectroscopy at 2477° ± 20°K. The major dissociation product seen in the flash pyrolysis of AlH3 is AlH. The existence of a subhydride AlH2 is postulated, and its role in the pyrolytic decomposition of AlH3 is correlated to the observed species AlH. The first product seen in the flash pyrolysis of BeH2 is BeH. Within a few microseconds of the appearance, the BeH is seen to decrease in intensity. At 25 μsec after the photoflash the first bands of BeH+ are seen. From 60 μsec on, the BeH+ is the major beryllium‐containing pyrolysis product. The pyrolytic decomposition of BeH2 has been observed for 165 μsec after the initial photoflash. The flash‐induced combustion of BeH2 in oxygen has been studied at 20 mm pressure of the gas. The absorption spectra of OH, BeH, BeH+, and BeO are described, and the relative concentration of each is given for the period of 140 μsec following the initial photoflash. A mechanism for the combustion of BeH2 is given in terms of the spectra observed.

This publication has 9 references indexed in Scilit: