A simple aqueous phase synthesis of high surface area aluminum fluoride and its bulk and surface structure

Al2O3+6HF(aq)→r.t.H2O2AlF3+3H2OThe preparation of high surface area aluminum fluoride (60-120 m2/g) from Al2O3 and aqueous HF solution is reported. Various characterization techniques, including X-ray powder diffraction, infrared and solid state NMR spectroscopy, and adsorption of paramagnetic probe molecules (vanadium complexes), were used to prove that both bulk and surface structure consist of AlF3. No oxide or hydroxide species could be observed in significant amount.