Preparation of Alumina Powders through Pyrocatechol, Resorcinol Mediated Sol-Gel Method

Ultrafine alumina powders were synthesized through pyrocatechol and resorcinol mediated sol-gel process. Aluminum nitrate was applied as the Al source and PVP was the dispersant. X-ray diffraction (XRD) study displayed that γ-Al2O3 powders formed in the range of 800-900 °C, and then γ-Al2O3 transformed to α-Al2O3 at higher temperatures, pure α-Al2O3 powders could be obtained at 1000 °C by using resorcinol as organic monomer. The results of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that Al2O3 nanoparticles with γ crystalline phase had grain sizes in the range of 5-40 nm. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation displayed that the morphology of the prepared α-Al2O3 powders had aggregated bodies formed by Al2O3 grains in the range of 0.2-0.5μm. These results provide a new way of preparation of alumina powders.