Fuel effects on properties of alumina nanoparticles synthesized by combustion technique

Abstract

Alumina nanopowders have been produced by solution combustion synthesis using aluminum nitrate as oxidizer and urea (U), ammonium acetate (AA) and ammonium nitrate (AN) as fuels. The fuel effects on properties of products have been studied. Enthalpy and adiabatic flame temperature are calculated theoretically for each fuel based on thermodynamic concept to determine its exothermicity. Thermogravimetric (TG) analysis has also been carried out to determine the thermal properties of the metal nitrate and fuels. The prepared samples have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂ adsorption (BET) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that by reducing the exothermicity of reaction, alumina nanopowders with smaller crystallite size, finer agglomerate and higher specific surface area are produced.