Micro/mesoporous quasi-zero-dimensional AlOOH and Al2O3 nanoparticles

The operational condition in hydrothermal synthesis method is critically determining the morphology and the structure of the synthesized powders. Quasi-zero-dimensional boehmite (gamma-AlOOH) and gamma-alumina (gamma-Al2O3) nanocrystallines with porous structure have been synthesized by applying strong bases as precipitant in simple hydrothermal synthesis method. The samples were well characterized by using XRD, FTIR, SEM, TEM, TGA, and N-2 adsorption/desorption techniques. The gamma-AlOOH nanoparticles were successfully converted into gamma-Al2O3 with the same morphology via thermal post-treatment. No impurities were detected for the synthesized gamma-AlOOH and gamma-Al2O3 nanoparticles using XRD analysis and both presented narrowly distributed particle size with high crystallinity and micro/mesoporous structure. Effect of precipitant showed that potassium hydroxide creates high porosity and high specific surface area for nanoparticles of AlOOH. The effect of different synthesis methods and their operational condition on the morphology of AlOOH and Al2O3 was comprehensively investigated.