Kinetic instability of nanocrystalline aluminum prepared by chemical synthesis: facile room-temperature grain growth

Two chemical methods were used to synthesize nanocrystalline aluminum. The first method involves the reaction between LiAlH4 and AlCl3 in a trimethylbenzene solvent. This reaction produces crystals with diameters ranging from 110 nm to 210 nm with 84% to 91& purity. The second method involves the decomposition of H3Al(NMe2Et) in a similar solvent as the first reaction. The second procedure yields crystals with more than 99% purity. The growth of these aluminum nanocrystals under pressure is investigated.