Microwave-assisted synthesis of nanocrystalline mesoporous gallium oxide

Cubic-spinel type mesoporous gallium oxide nanoclusters were synthesized by employing tri-block copolymer and cationic surfactants as structure directing agents via self-assembly microwave-assisted heating. X-ray diffraction revealed the transition from semi-crystalline to fully crystalline mesophases as the MW heating time was increased from 15 to 120 min. These mesophases displayed 3–8 nm crystallites and unimodal pore sizes in the 3–7 nm range with specific surface areas as high as 360 m2/g. Due to their small crystallite size, high surface areas, unimodal pore sizes, wall nature, and thermal stability, these mesophases could be potentially used as heterogeneous catalysts.