Synthesis of γ-AlOOH (γ-Al2O3) self-encapsulated and hollow architectures

γ-AlOOH architectures with hollow and self-encapsulated structures have been selectively synthesized by a facile one-step wet-chemical route. It is interesting to note that the condensed cores could be self-encapsulated into the hollow shells, and that the hollow shells were constructed with γ-AlOOH nano-flakelets and showed urchin-like morphologies. γ-Al2O3 hollow and self-encapsulated architectures have been synthesized by thermal decomposition method using the as-synthesized γ-AlOOH as precursors, and the morphologies and microstructures of γ-AlOOH have sustained very well. The surface area of γ-Al2O3 hollow microspheres was calculated to be 116.9 m2 g−1.