Dehydration kinetics of boehmite in the temperature range 723–873 K

The dehydration kinetics of boehmite prepared from the hydrothermal transformation of gibbsite has been comprehensively studied to clarify the mechanism of the dehydration process using a thermogravimetric technique under both isothermal and non-isothermal conditions. Selected residues were examined by XRD, SEM, TEM and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). Results indicate that the dehydration process is a topotactic reaction which brings about γ-Al2O3 with porous microstructure and poor crystallinity. The kinetic data were analysed using the model-free (isoconversional) methods. The results indicate that the activation energy of the dehydration process depends on the reaction extent, signifying the dehydration process is chemical controlled with a diffusion complication as the reaction extent increases. Prediction of the dehydration extent was accomplished using the kinetic parameter of the non-isothermal process and the isoconversional method. The predicted rate is in a reasonably good agreement with the measured values. Finally the mechanism of the dehydration process is discussed based on the auxiliary results from the physical examination of the reacted residues and the kinetic behaviour.

► The dehydration of boehmite is a complex topotactic process.
► The process is chemical control with a diffusion complication as the reaction progresses.
► Al cation diffusion is the rate-limiting step.
► The reaction rates predicted by the model-free method agree well with the measured values.