Combustion Synthesized Al2O3 Ceramic Powders

In this research, Al2O3 powders were successfully synthesized by employing different initial materials of aluminum nitrate and aluminum acetate through the facile solution combustion approach. Al2O3 based insulation materials possess many essential applications in steel manufacturing industries regarding their considerable heat-resistance characteristics. To study the crystal structure, microstructure, and surface chemistry of the synthesized oxides, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were employed. It was found that the use of aluminum acetate facilitates the synthesis of semi-crystalline Al2O3 in the synthesis condition, while regardless of the used initial materials, calcination treatment at 1000 °C gives rise to the improvement of crystallinity. Additionally, the SEM observations clarified that through the employment of aluminum acetate, very fine particles with the approximate size of 1 μm were produced. The FTIR characterizations revealed that the peaks at 570 and 790 cm-1 originate from Al-O bonds in the octahedral and tetrahedral coordination and confirmed the synthesis of Al2O3. In short, to produce Al2O3 powders, the utilization of combustion by urea fuel and aluminum acetate brings appropriate characterizations.