Using modified Pechini method to synthesize α-Al2O3 nanoparticles of high surface area

A modified Pechini method for the preparation of a high surface area α-alumina is proposed. The synthesis of these nanoparticles was carried out using a polymer as a chelating agent. The polymer was prepared from citric acid and acrylic acid by the melt blending method. The resulting α-alumina (98.16%) after calcination at 900 °C consisted of cylindrical nanoparticles of 100–200 nm in length and <25 nm in diameter with a relatively high surface area (18 m2 g−1).