Synthesis of submicron aluminum particles via thermal decomposition of alkyl aluminum precursors in the presence of metal seeds and their application in the formation of ruthenium aluminides

Submicron Al particles can be used in energy materials, as reducing agents, or for the formation of aluminides. Their standard electrode potential and their reactivity towards oxygen makes their synthesis a challenging task. Here we present a thermal decomposition approach starting from triisobutylaluminium (TIBAL) as a precursor. This compound can be decomposed in refluxing diphenylether as a high-boiling solvent and in the presence of metallic nanoparticles of Ni, Ru or Ag acting as seeds. The resulting particles revealed sizes of around 100 nm. Passivation of the Al particles is possible in an optional second step after the synthesis by adding oleic acid resulting in the formation of organically capped Al particles. The suitability of these submicron particles for the synthesis of aluminides was studied by reacting the synthesized particles with Ru powders, resulting in the formation of the respective aluminide.