Application of n-Dodecyltrimethylammonium Chloride for the Oxidation of Intermetallic Phases

Abstract

The thermal decomposition products of ionic liquids based on n-dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride (DTAC) were used for the preparation of the metastable allotrope Ge(cF136) by oxidation of Na12Ge17 in gas-solid reactions. This method of preparation provides a promising low-temperature route for the synthesis of intermetallic phases and elemental modifications. In order to explore the reaction mechanism, we investigated the thermal decomposition of DTAC as well as of the ionic liquids DTAC/MgCl2 and DTAC/AlCl3 by in-situ mass spectrometry and by powder X-ray diffraction. The results have revealed HCl, CH3Cl and 1-chlorododecane to act as oxidizing agents in the gas-solid redox reactions.