Improving textural properties of γ-alumina by using second generation biomass in conventional hydrothermal method

• Alumina possessing improved textural properties was synthesized using biomass as sacrificial agent.
• The synthesis method is simple and inexpensive.
• Regular mesopores were obtained via pore enclosure of (111) and (002) lattice planes.
• Mesopores with mean diameter of 5–6 nm were formed.

The present study reports a simple and inexpensive method for improving the textural properties and stability of γ-alumina by adding crushed sugar cane bagasse to the synthesis gel (highly crystalline bayerite was used as an aluminum source). The influence of bagasse was evaluated by varying the biomass/bayerite ratio from 0.05 to 1 wt%. The presence of bagasse increased both surface area and pore volume up to 2.5-fold and 1.5-fold respectively. In addition, mesopores with a mean diameter of 5 nm were observed, which were further increased to 6 nm using hydrolyzed biomass prior to the synthesis. HRTEM measurements highlighted that the presence of biomass raised the formation of pores by enclosure of (111) and (002) lattice planes.

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