Flower-like boehmite nanopowders obtained at low temperature from Bayer liquor

Boehmite nanocrystalline powders were obtained by neutralization of Bayer liquor at 70?C with addition of glucose. Temperature of the neutralization induced formation of the flower-like morphology of the nanopowders. XRD and FTIR results confirmed that the single phase boehmite is formed without any other impurities. Calcination at 500?C led to the formation of transition -alumina with the retention of the flower-like morphology. Both as-synthesised and calcined powders possessed high specific surface area with mesopores between 3-6 nm in diameter. Relatively low temperature of neutralization as well as the use of low cost and ecologically friendly glucose as a surfactant are very promising for the possible application in the industrial production of alumina nanopowders.