Synthesis and characterization of three-dimensional ordered macroporous Al_2O_3 materials with mesoporous wall

Three-dimensional ordered macroporous Al2O3 materials(3DOM Al2O3) with mesoporous wall are successfully synthesized using Al(NO3)3·9H2O as precursor and 260 nm polystyrene colloid crystal as template.Al(NO3)3·9H2O dissolved in 70% methanol solution,is filled in the voids of colloid crystal template.The impregnated template is dried at room temperature for 30 minutes.Then,the composites are infiltrated with 10% of ammonium hydroxide solution.At last,the template is removed through calcinations at 550℃ for 3 hours.The resulted materials have three-dimensional ordered macroporous structure.At the same time,the macropores keep interconnected through small windows.The walls of 3DOM Al2O3 are made up of nano-particles of about 10 nm diameter,which results into rich mesoporous and high surface area of 315 m2/g.The XRD spectrum of 3DOM Al2O3 shows the sample consisting of polycrystal γ-Al2O3.