Preparation of micron-sized alumina powders from aluminium beverage can by means of sol-gel process

A new method to recycle aluminium beverage cans is investigated. Alumina (Al₂O₃) powders with primary grain size of 10-15 nm were synthesised by the hydrolysis-condensation process of aluminium ethoxide precursors. Here, aluminium ethoxide was prepared through the reaction of the recycling aluminium beverage can with ethanol. The resultant hydrolysates of ethoxide are converted to α-alumina phase after calcined at 900°C for 2 h. An average particle diameter of 0.26 μm was observed by the scanning electron microscopy.