Preparation and characterization of fibrillar boehmite and γ-Al2O3

Abstract Fibrillar boehmite (γ-A100H) is used to synthesize an acicular form of the defect spinel γ-Al 2 O 3 , an important support material for catalysts. Acicular γ-A100H was prepared by the addition of powdered aluminum to an aluminum chloride solution with an A 1 C 1 ratio of 2 3 . The basic aluminum chloride solution was diluted and treated hydrothermally at 160°C for 40 hours. TEM, x-ray analysis and I. R. Spectra were used to characterize the product. Acicular γ-Al 2 O 3 was obtained by thermal decomposition of the fibrillar boehmite at 400°C for 72 hours.