Characterization of the Sol-Gel Transition of Alumina Sols Prepared from Aluminum Alcoxides via 27Al NMR

Abstract

ABSTRACT27Al NMRsp ectra were obtained on a series of alumina sols prepared by the hydrolysis of aluminum sec-butoxide. Subtle but distinct differences were observed in the solution 27Al NMR spectra of sols which varied in appearance from being very milky to completely transparent. No changes were observed in the 27Al spectra of sols which had been aged. The adddition of sufficient quantities of acid or base to gel the sol precipitated dramatic changes in the Al spectra. Aluminum-27 NMR was found to be a highly useful tool for probing the sol-gel transformation of this system.