Development of nanoparticles of alumina by sol-gel method using inorganic aluminum salts as precursors

Alumina nanoparticles were synthesized by homogeneous precipitation method from inorganic aluminum salt solutions using urea followed by calcination. The nanoparticles so produced were spherical and acicular with uniform particle size distribution. The process describes synthesis of aluminum hydroxide Al(OH)/sub 3 /and boehmite AIOOH, and their thermal decomposition into alumina (Al/sub 2/O/sub 3)/. The structural and morphological properties of the prepared aluminum hydroxide and Nan crystalline powders were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, differential thermal analysis and thermo gravimetric analysis. (author)