Characterization of γ- Al2O3 nanopowders synthesized by co-precipitation method

Abstract

Co-precipitation technique has been used to synthesize gamma-Al2O3 (γ-Al2O3) nanopowders under annealing temperature effect. The crystalline phase and purity for the prepared powder were characterized by different spectroscopy techniques. XRD analysis confirms the gamma phase of alumina nanopowders with particle diameter ranging from 6 to 24 nm, which confirms the quantum dots formation, which is also supported by the BET measurement. The surface area of the prepared nanopowders is in the range of 109–367 m2/g. Morphology analysis indicates that γ-Al2O3 nanopowders are consisted of grains almost spherical in shape. Some agglomeration of nanoparticles occurs, which become more regular hexagonal shaped with the increasing annealing temperature. The small nanoparticles size and the high surface area from a simple procedure for preparing γ-Al2O3 may make it more suitable for use as an adsorbent for malachite green.