Biotemplated fabrication of porous alumina ceramics with controllable pore size using bioactive yeast as pore-forming agent

Porous alumina ceramics with controlled pore size and pore morphology were prepared by precipitation method using Al(NO3)3 and ammonia as raw materials, bioactive yeast cell as a pore-forming agent, respectively. The formation mechanism of the porous structure, the effects of both mass ratios of bioactive yeast to alumina and calcination temperature on the phase development and microstructure of the products were examined. Results showed that core–shell composites of yeast cell/alumina precursor could be obtained via electrostatic attraction followed by filtration and calcination to produce porous alumina ceramic. Regular oval-like interconnected micron sized pores can be formed when the mass ratio of the yeast cell to alumina was 1:1, and the mean pore size is in the range of 0.1 to 3 μm.