Synthesis of nanocrystalline α-Al2O3 by ultrasonic flame pyrolysis

Nanocrystalline α-alumina was synthesized in an indigenously built ultrasonic flame pyrolysis (UFP) set-up. This paper describes the technical aspects of the apparatus and particle formation in the flame. Ultrasonically atomized aluminium nitrate dissolved in methanol–water mixture was pyrolyzed in an oxy-propane flame for yielding nanocrystalline α-alumina. The formation of nanophase alumina was confirmed by powder XRD analysis. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis was carried out to study particulate morphology.