Fast and facile synthesis of boehmite nanofibers

A quick, simple route was established for producing boehmite nanofibers by direct reaction between activated aluminum and hot water. Naturally, an oxide layer around aluminum particles prevents aluminum core to react with water. In the present work, the oxide layer was destroyed, using mechanical energy, to facilitate the reaction. Hot water increased the kinetic of reaction which accelerates hydrogen generation rate at the interface of aluminum and just-produced layer of boehmite, whose outward flow prohibits passive boehmite layer from being formed on aluminum particles. Boehmite particles suspended in water were self-assembled using no surfactant and/or template, constructing a fiber structure with a diameter less than 10 nm and an average length of 150 nm in less than 40 s. Average crystallite size of resultant fibers was 4.3 nm and its specific surface area was about 283.6 m2/g.

Graphical abstractOxide layer around aluminum particles, preventing direct contact between water and aluminum, was removed by mechanical energy. This is accomplished by ball-milling of aluminum and salt mixture, which reduces the size of particles simultaneously. Immersing this activated powder in hot water, aluminum particles are hydrated in less than 40 s, forming boehmite nanofibers.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide