Synthesis of ι-Al2O3 from a Mixture of Aluminum Nitrate and Carboxymethyl Cellulose

A simple preparation method for the synthesis of iota-Al2O3 with a mixture of aluminum nitrate and carboxymethyl cellulose is proposed. Structural characterization of the microwave-heated samples was performed by X-ray diffraction and the results showed the development of iota-Al2O3 phase at a temperature of 498 degrees C. No alpha-Al2O3 peaks were observed until the highest temperature reached 1189 degrees C; at this temperature iota-Al2O3 peaks were still strong. In order to elucidate the morphology of the powders, scanning electron microscopy was used and showed the elongated plate-like morphology of synthesized iota-Al2O3.