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Hierarchical urchin-like γ-Al2O3 hollow microspheres were prepared by a hydrothermal method followed by a calcination process using Al(NO3)3·9H2O as aluminum source, NH3·H2O as precipitating agent, and P123 as structure-directing agent (SDA). The obtained samples were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), filed emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and N2 adsorption/desorption. The influences of P123 concentration, acidic condition, and hydrothermal time on the morphology of product were discussed. P123 has a great influence on ruling the oriented attachment of nanowires and stabilizing the superstructure in the self-assembly process. The 3D urchin-like hollow microspheres have a surface area of 210.2 m2/g and the average pore size is 11.42 nm, which have widely potential application such as catalyst, adsorption, and separation.


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P123 assisted synthesis and characterization of urchin-like γ-Al2O3 hollow microspheres

Show Author's information Qi LIANGaXiaorui GUOaTingting QUANaFancheng MENGa,b( )
Department of Materials, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China
State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China

Abstract

Hierarchical urchin-like γ-Al2O3 hollow microspheres were prepared by a hydrothermal method followed by a calcination process using Al(NO3)3·9H2O as aluminum source, NH3·H2O as precipitating agent, and P123 as structure-directing agent (SDA). The obtained samples were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), filed emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and N2 adsorption/desorption. The influences of P123 concentration, acidic condition, and hydrothermal time on the morphology of product were discussed. P123 has a great influence on ruling the oriented attachment of nanowires and stabilizing the superstructure in the self-assembly process. The 3D urchin-like hollow microspheres have a surface area of 210.2 m2/g and the average pore size is 11.42 nm, which have widely potential application such as catalyst, adsorption, and separation.

Keywords: hydrothermal method, γ-Al2O3, hollow microspheres, urchin-like, crystal growth

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Publication history
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Publication history

Received: 23 February 2016
Revised: 22 May 2016
Accepted: 07 June 2016
Published: 21 August 2016
Issue date: September 2016

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© The author(s) 2016

Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51102289) and State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing (Wuhan University of Technology) (No. 2015-KF-15).

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