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

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)