Abstract
Mesoporous alumina particles were prepared by spray pyrolysis using cetyltrimethyl-ammonium bromide (CTAB) as a structure directing agent and the effect of Al precursor types on the texture properties was studied using $N_2$ adsorption isotherms, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The surface area and the microstructure of alumina particles were significantly influenced by the Al precursor type. The largest BET surface area was obtained when Al chloride was used, whereas alumina particles prepared from Al acetate had the largest pore volume. According to small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analysis, the alumina powders prepared using nitrate and acetate precursors had a clear single SAXS peak around $2{\theta}=1.0{\sim}1.5^{\circ}$, indicating that regular mesopores with sponge-like structure were produced. On the basis of TEM, SAXS, and $N_2$ isotherm results, the chloride precursor was most profitable to obtain the largest surface area ($265\;m^2/g$), whereas, the nitrate precursor is useful for the preparation of non-hollow mesoporous alumina with regular pore size, maintaining high surface area (${\sim}233\;m^2/g$).
