Experimental and ab initio infrared study of χ-, κ- and α-aluminas formed from gibbsite

χ-, κ- and α-alumina phases formed by dehydration of micro-grained gibbsite between 773 and 1573 K are studied using infrared spectroscopy (IR). The structural transitions evidenced by X-ray diffraction (XRD) were interpreted by comparing IR measurements with ab initio simulations (except for the χ form whose complexity does not allow a reliable simulation). For each phase, IR spectrum presents specific bands corresponding to transverse optical (TO) modes of Al-O stretching and bending under 900 cm-1. The very complex χ phase, obtained at 773 K, provides a distinctive XRD pattern in contrast with the IR absorbance appearing as a broad structure extending between 200 and 900 cm-1 resembling the equivalent spectra for γ-alumina phase. κ-alumina is forming at 1173 K and its rich IR spectrum is in good qualitative agreement with ab initio simulations. This complexity reflects the large number of atoms in the κ-alumina unit cell and the wide range of internuclear distances as well as the various coordinances of both Al and O atoms. Ab initio simulations suggest that this form of transition alumina demonstrates a strong departure from the simple pattern observed for other transition alumina. At 1573 K, the stable α-Αl2Ο3 develops. Its IR spectra extends in a narrower energy range as compared to transition alumina and presents characteristics features similar to model α-Αl2Ο3. Ab initio calculations show again a very good general agreement with the observed IR spectra for this phase. In addition, for both κ- and α-Αl2Ο3, extra modes, measured at high energy (above 790 cm-1 for κ and above 650 cm-1 for α), can originate from either remnant χ-alumina or from surface modes. - Graphical abstract: Infrared spectra of the sequence Gibbsite →χ→κ→α-Al2O3 obtained from 24 h calcinations of Gibbsite at 773 K, 1173 K, 1273 K and 1573 K. All intensity maxima are normalized at 1.