Synthesis of macro-mesoporous alumina with yeast cell as bio-template

Macro-mesoporous alumina materials were synthesized by using yeast cell as bio-template and triethanolamine (TEA) as precipitator. The synthesized samples were characterized by various means such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), N-2 adsorption method and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The effect of both the mass ratio of yeast/Al(NO3)(3)center dot 9H(2)O and the synthesized temperature on the properties of samples was investigated in detail. The SEM and TEM results showed that the synthesized alumina possessed macroporous structure with sizes of 1.5-3 mu m, where the interconnected wormlike mesopores with sizes of 3-4.5 nm were within the walls of the macroporous cages. XRD patterns and BET results revealed that the synthesized alumina had a higher formation temperature of gamma-Al2O3 crystal phase, as well as better thermal stability. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.