Abstract
Cordierite powders were prepared by controlled hydrolysis of metal alkoxides with catalysts in water medium without using organic solvents. Water was adjusted to a certain pH by HC1 and NH4OH. $\alpha$-Cordierite powder was prepared from aluminum isopropoxide, tetraethyl orthosilicate and magnesium ethoxide mixed with water adjusted to pH of 3. At water pH of 11, $\alpha$-cordierite, mullite and $\beta$-quartz phases were coexisted. The powders were freeze dried, calcined and then fired at different temperatures. The characteristics of powders were examined by means of DTA, X-ray diffraction, FT-IR, and electron microscopy. It was found that $\alpha$-cordierite could be synthesized at temperature of 120$0^{\circ}C$ from the powders prepared by alkoxides with water medium without organic solvents.
