Facile structure-controlled synthesis of mesoporous γ-alumina: Effects of alcohols in precursor formation and calcination

• We synthesize alumina catalysts supports with controlled pore properties.
• We control pore properties by varying alcohols used in the gelation of precursors.
• Alcohol molecules hydrogen bond with surface hydroxyls of precursors.
• Sizes of aluminas are determined by primary crystallite bonding and shrinkage.

We report a facile synthesis of mesoporous alumina catalysts supports with controlled pore properties by varying the alcohols used in the rinsing and gelation of boehmite/bayerite precursors derived from a controlled hydrolysis of aluminum alkoxides. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, nitrogen gas adsorption, and comparative adsorption analysis were performed to determine the structure of these materials. After calcination at 700 °C for 2 h, surface areas of these synthesized alumina catalysts supports range from 180 to 260 m2/g, average pore widths range from 7 to 37 nm, and pore volumes range from 0.8 to 1.4 cm3/g. Accordingly, this synthetic method provides a facile route to the controlled synthesis of nanostructured alumina catalyst supports with customized pore structures, including a wide range of mesopore widths.

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