An investigation of fuel precursors and calcination temperature to obtain mayenite (Ca12Al14O33) powders by solution combustion synthesis

The influence of the fuel (glycine, urea, citric acid and sucrose) and calcination temperature used to obtain calcium aluminate in the mayenite phase assisted by solution combustion synthesis (SCS) is the central point of this work. Thermal gravimetric analysis helps to establish the calcination temperatures used (1100, 1200 and 1300 degrees C). Using the X-ray diffraction technique (XRD) and complementary analyses, such as Raman spectroscopy, the specific surface area and laser granulometry, it was possible to elucidate the behavior and relationship of the fuel and heat treatment on the phase formation, crystallite size and powder crystallinity. Glycine showed better performance than other fuels, with the lowest calcination temperature, obtaining pure mayenite with nanometric crystallite size in all calcination ranges. Thus, it was observed that the type of fuel has an influence on obtaining pure mayenite, as well as the calcination temperature, and glycine reveals the best performance.

Automated summary

The central point of this study is to investigate the influence of fuel (glycine, urea, citric acid and sucrose) and calcination temperature on obtaining calcium aluminate in the mayenite phase through solution combustion synthesis (SCS). Through various analyses including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, specific surface area measurement, and laser granulometry, the relationship between fuel, heat treatment, phase formation, crystallite size, and powder crystallinity was elucidated. Glycine exhibited the best performance, achieving pure mayenite with nanometric crystallite size at the lowest calcination temperature among all ranges. Therefore, the type of fuel and calcination temperature both play crucial roles in obtaining pure mayenite, with glycine showing the highest performance.