Issue 16, 2025

Low-temperature synthesis of α-Al2O3via endotaxial transformation from sodium meta-aluminate

Abstract

Alpha alumina (α-Al2O3), the thermodynamically stable phase of alumina, is widely valued for its exceptional mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties, making it indispensable in applications ranging from abrasives to advanced ceramics. However, conventional synthesis methods require high calcination temperatures (∼1200 °C), leading to energy-intensive processes, particle coarsening, and agglomeration, which limit the production of ultrafine α-Al2O3 powders. To address these challenges, we propose a novel, low-temperature synthesis route for α-Al2O3via endotaxial transformation using sodium meta-aluminate (NaAlO2) as a precursor in the presence of CCl4 under an Ar atmosphere. Leveraging the structural similarity in Al and O atomic arrangements between NaAlO2 and α-Al2O3, we demonstrate the successful synthesis of pure α-Al2O3 at a significantly reduced temperature of 850 °C with a reaction duration of 2 hours and an Ar flow rate of 120 sccm. Systematic investigations reveal that the endotaxial transformation retains the original morphology of the NaAlO2 precursor, offering a potential pathway to control the size and morphology of α-Al2O3. This study not only provides a cost-effective and energy-efficient alternative for α-Al2O3 synthesis but also introduces a scalable strategy for producing high-quality α-Al2O3 with potential applications in advanced materials and catalysis.

Graphical abstract: Low-temperature synthesis of α-Al2O3via endotaxial transformation from sodium meta-aluminate

Supplementary files

Transparent peer review

To support increased transparency, we offer authors the option to publish the peer review history alongside their article.

View this article’s peer review history

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
16 Feb 2025
Accepted
19 Mar 2025
First published
19 Mar 2025

CrystEngComm, 2025,27, 2477-2482

Low-temperature synthesis of α-Al2O3via endotaxial transformation from sodium meta-aluminate

F. Tian, J. He, J. Wang, D. Xiao, Z. Zheng, P. Wang, Y. Liu, H. Cheng, Y. Dai, B. Huang and Z. Wang, CrystEngComm, 2025, 27, 2477 DOI: 10.1039/D5CE00173K

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements