Thermal transformations of the products of partial hydrolysis of hydrous aluminium nitrate

Thermal analysis, mass spectrometry, infrared spectrophotometry, X-ray phase analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and sorption methods were used in the study of thermal transformations of the products of partial hydrolysis of hydrous aluminium nitrate in ammonia medium. It has been found that the process of aluminium nitrate hydrolysis under the conditions applied and in the presence of ammonia gives boehmite as the main product, with some admixture of a basic salt.Aluminium oxide obtained from the products of partial hydrolysis of hydrous aluminium nitrate in ammonia medium at 550°C has a crystalline -Al₂O₃ structure. Its specific surface, as determined by low-temperature adsorption of nitrogen, exceeds 200 m²g^–1. Features of the products are well developed mesopore structure and considerable ability of benzene adsorption. Calcination of the obtained aluminium oxide for 2 h at 900°C reduces its specific surface to about 110 m² g^–1.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.