J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 2003, 86, 1481-1486

 

Preparation and Characterization of Macroporous alpha-Alumina

 

Sergey Sokolov*, David Bell^†, Andreas Stein*

 

Department of Chemistry, 207 Pleasant St. S.E., University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, U.S.A.

^†12 Shepherd Labs, 100 Union St. S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455

 

Abstract

 

alpha-Al₂O₃ powders with three-dimensionally ordered or randomly positioned macropores were synthesized by templating with poly(methyl methacrylate) colloidal crystals. Aluminum hydroxide precipitate was formed within the interstices of the template; calcination removed the polymer and converted the inorganic precursors into a macroporous skeleton of alpha-Al₂O₃. Subsequent calcination at higher temperatures and hot stage transmission electron microscopy experiments were performed to study sintering effects on the product morphology. These materials combine the thermal and chemical stability of corundum with a very open structure of uniform macropores that can permit facile transport of guest molecules in potential catalysis, filtration, and sensing applications.