Process for Producing Nano-Alpha-Alumina Powder

Abstract

This paper is trying to explore the effect of stirring time on the synthesis of nano-α-Alumina particles. In this study, alumina nanoparticles were synthesized through alkoxide route using sol-gel method, where aqueous solutions of aluminum isopropoxide and 0.5 M aluminum nitrate nanohydrate were used for preparing alumina sol. Sodium dodecylbenzen sulfonate (SDBS) was used as the surfactant stabilizing agent. The prepared solution was stirred at different times (24, 36, 48, and 60 hours) at 60°C. The Samples were, then, characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy(TEM) . The introduction of different stirring times affected the particle size and shape and the degree of aggregation. By increasing the stirring time, (starting from 24 to 48 hours) the particle size decreased, but agglomeration became hard for 60 hours of stirring time. The finest particle size (20–30 nm) was obtained at 48-hour stirring time.