Synthesis of porous zinc aluminate spinel (ZnAl2O4) by metal-chitosan complexation method

Zinc aluminate (ZnAl2O4) particles with a spinel structure were prepared by metal-chitosan complexation method. The solids were obtained by the thermal decomposition of precursor compound of metallic hydroxides mixture and the biopolymer chitosan. X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and N-2-adsorption-desorption isotherms were used for the characterization of the products. The results showed that the ZnAl2O4 spinel can be obtained by heating the precursor at temperatures above of 500 degrees C, resulting in a material with porous structure and large surface area and high purity. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.