Facile structure-controlled synthesis of mesoporous γ-alumina: Effects of alcohols in precursor formation and calcination

•We synthesize alumina catalysts supports with controlled pore properties.•We control pore properties by varying alcohols used in the gelation of precursors.•Alcohol molecules hydrogen bond with surface hydroxyls of precursors.•Sizes of aluminas are determined by primary crystallite bonding and shrinkage.

We report a facile synthesis of mesoporous alumina catalysts supports with controlled pore properties by varying the alcohols used in the rinsing and gelation of boehmite/bayerite precursors derived from a controlled hydrolysis of aluminum alkoxides. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, nitrogen gas adsorption, and comparative adsorption analysis were performed to determine the structure of these materials. After calcination at 700 °C for 2 h, surface areas of these synthesized alumina catalysts supports range from 180 to 260 m2/g, average pore widths range from 7 to 37 nm, and pore volumes range from 0.8 to 1.4 cm3/g. Accordingly, this synthetic method provides a facile route to the controlled synthesis of nanostructured alumina catalyst supports with customized pore structures, including a wide range of mesopore widths.

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