Glycine-Nitrate Combustion Synthesis of Nanopowders Based on Nonstoichiometric Magnesium-Aluminum Spinel

The low-temperature glycine-nitrate combustion method was employed to synthesize nanopowders based on nonstoichiometric magnesium-aluminum spinel MgAl2+delta O4+1.5 delta with the degree of nonstoichiometry delta = 0.76-9.48, whose average crystallite size decreases from 16 to 6 nm as spinel is enriched with alumina. Analysis of the nanopowders suggests that they have a complex structure composed of nonstoichiometric spinel crystallites and an amorphous alumina part. The powders synthesized hold promise as catalyst supports, sorbents, and functional materials with high surface areas.