Synthesis of Mesoporous Alumina by using a Cost-effective Template

A salt of stearic acid, i.e., magnesium stearate [(C₁₇H ₃₅COO)₂Mg], can be used as a chemical template for the formation of mesoporous alumina, and is a less expensive reagent than stearic acid. Mesoporous alumina prepared using this cost-effective surfactant shows similar pore properties with respect to pore size (3.5 nm) and surface area (above 300 m₂/g) to that prepared using stearic acid. In addition, textural porosity, arising from non-crystalline intra-aggregate voids and spaces, was effectively removed by the addition of magnesium nitrate. The entire transformation from aluminum hydroxide to active alumina was performed at 550°C, and the crystallinity of the product was confirmed by powder XRD analysis. ₂₇A1 MAS NMR result shows the phase of mesoporous alumina is the γ-alumina form.