Time-resolved chemically-selective spectroscopic investigation of the redox reaction between hematite and aluminium

Ettore Paltanin, Jacopo S. Pelli Cresi, Emiliano Principi (), Wonseok Lee, Filippo Bencivenga, Dario Angelis, Laura Foglia, David Garzella, Gabor Kurdi, Michele Manfredda, Denys Naumenko, Alberto Simoncig, Scott K. Cushing, Riccardo Mincigrucci () and Claudio Masciovecchio
Additional contact information
Ettore Paltanin: Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A.
Jacopo S. Pelli Cresi: Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A.
Emiliano Principi: Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A.
Wonseok Lee: California Institute of Technology
Filippo Bencivenga: Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A.
Dario Angelis: Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A.
Laura Foglia: Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A.
David Garzella: Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A.
Gabor Kurdi: Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A.
Michele Manfredda: Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A.
Denys Naumenko: Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A.
Alberto Simoncig: Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A.
Scott K. Cushing: California Institute of Technology
Riccardo Mincigrucci: Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A.
Claudio Masciovecchio: Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A.

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Thermite reactions –highly energetic redox processes between a metal and an oxide—are used in welding, propulsion, and the fabrication of advanced materials. When reduced to the nanoscale, these reactions exhibit enhanced energetic performance, but their ultrafast dynamics remain poorly understood. Gaining insight into charge transfer during these processes is essential for advancing applications in energy conversion and materials design. Here we show that the reaction between aluminium and hematite, a common iron oxide, can be tracked with femtosecond resolution using extreme ultraviolet (EUV) time-resolved absorption spectroscopy at the Fe M2,3 and Al L2,3 edges. By exciting the system with an ultrashort optical pulse and probing element-specific absorption changes, we observe an early spectral shift that reveals the formation of localized charge carriers (polarons). Comparing samples with different supporting substrates highlights ultrafast electron transfer from aluminium to hematite. These results demonstrate an approach to investigating charge flow in energetic materials and provide a basis for studying fast chemical reactions with chemical specificity.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62436-z

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