Chemical vapour synthesis and characterisation of Al2O3 nanopowders

Direct synthesis of transition alumina (Al2O3) nanopowders in gas phase by a chemical reaction of precursor vapour (aluminium-tri-sec-butoxide) with oxygen is reported. The synthesis method is a modified chemical vapour deposition process known as a chemical vapour synthesis (CVS). Reactor pressure and carrier gas (He) flow were varied in order to examine their influence on the quality of the as-synthesised nanocrystalline powder. Characterisation of the obtained powders was performed by means of XRD, FT-IR, SEM, TEM, thermogravimetry and low temperature nitrogen adsorption.