Synthesis and X-ray diffraction studies of ,, Al2 O3 using aluminium acetylacetonate (AAA) precursor via a sol-gel route.

Crystalline powder of -Al2O3 has been successfully synthesized by employing aluminum acetylacteonate-methanol-ethylene glycol-water system via a novel sol-gel route. The crystalline particles of the powder obtained were examined by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, while the surface area of the oxide powder was obtained by nitrogen adsorption BET surface area measurement. The result obtained indicated that the -Al2O3 is cubic with a = b = c = 7.5911A0, the mean particle diameter is 85 nm and the BET surface area is 120 m2/g. The result showed that the product obtained is a pure -Al2O3 with a nanocrystalline structure. The oxide powder could be very important in catalysis and gas sensing of hydrocarbons. Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences Volume , No 1 January (2001) pp. 81-84 KEY WORDS: Synthesis, X-ray diffraction, Acetylacteonate, Gamma Alumina, Sol-gel route