Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.5562/cca1884

Microstructural Analysis of Boehmite Nanoparticles Prepared by Rapid Hydrolysis of Aluminum Sec-butoxide

Goran Štefanić ; Division of Materials Chemistry, Ruđer Bošković Institute, P.O. Box 180, HR-10002 Zagreb, Croatia
Svetozar Musić ; Division of Materials Chemistry, Ruđer Bošković Institute, P.O. Box 180, HR-10002 Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Microstructural properties of six samples, prepared by rapid hydrolysis of aluminum secbutoxide,
were investigated at RT using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE SEM), X-ray
powder diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometry. The results of structural
analysis show that, regardless of a significant difference in the processing parameters (pH, temperature,
time of synthesis), all products contain boehmite as the only crystal phase present. The results of FE-SEM
analysis indicate a significant difference in the morphology of obtained boehmites (plates, needles, granules).
The results of line-broadening analysis of powder diffraction patterns (Le Bail method – program
GSAS) indicate the presence of very small anisotropic crystal domains (around 1.5 to 7 nm in the direction
010; around 3 to 16 nm in the direction perpendicular to 010). In all cases the parameters that contribute
to the strain broadening of diffraction lines decrease to nearly zero, which suggests that the obtained
boehmites are almost strain-free. (doi: 10.5562/cca1884)

Keywords

microstructure; powder diffraction; electron microscopy; sol-gel growth; oxides

Hrčak ID:

75056

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/75056

Publication date:

20.12.2011.

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