Additive-free and time-saving microwave hydrothermal synthesis of hollow microspheres structured boehmite

•Only using Al2(SO4)3, H2O and urea, we established an additive-free microwave hydrothermal route.•The reaction time for hollow microspheres structured boehmite was firstly reduced to only 30 min.•The pivotal influence factors were reaction temperature, dosage of urea and microwave power range.

In this study, by using Al2(SO4)3 aqueous solution and urea as raw materials, hollow microspheres structured boehmite was successfully synthesized only after 30 min reaction time at 180 °C via an additive-free and time-saving microwave hydrothermal route. The final products were characterized by techniques of X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electronic microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR). To investigate its crystal form and morphology evolution process, samples subjected to different reaction durations were prepared and characterized. The pivotal influence factors on boehmite morphology, such as reaction temperature, dosage of urea and microwave power range were discussed based on the experiment facts.

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