Synthesis and characterisation of Al2O3 nanoparticles as catalyst prepared by polymer co-precipitation method

Alumina (Al2O3) is a very interesting material with broad applicability as a support for various catalytically active phases and ceramic materials. Aluminium oxide (Al2O3) Nanoparticles were synthesized by aluminium chloride hexahydrate as precursor and polyvinylpyrrolydon (PVP) as surfactant and polymer agent. The samples were characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), field effect scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). XRD pattern exhibited gamma-Al2O3 to alpha- Al2O3 structural phase transition in the samples. The mean diameter of sphere-like as-prepared nanoparticles was around 26 nm and mean diameter of annealed sample was around 10 nm as estimated by XRD technique and direct HRTEM observation. The surface morphological studies from SEM depicted the size of alumina decreases with increasing annealing temperature. The effect of PVP surfactant on the morphology of the alumina nanoparticles has been investigated. EDS showed peaks of aluminium and oxygen in prepared Al2O3.