Self-generated template pathway to high-surface-area zinc aluminate spinel with mesopore network from a single-source inorganic precursor

Zinc aluminate spinels (ZnAl2O4) with mesopore networks and unusually high specific surface areas have been prepared through a self-generated template pathway using a single-source Zn-Al layered double hydroxide as precursor. This strategy involves calcination of the molecular precursor at 500 degrees C or above, followed by selective leaching of the self-generated zinc oxide template from the resultant calcined products. The specific surface area of ZnAl2O4 obtained after calcination at 500 degrees C is as high as 253 m(2) g(-1) and then decreases gradually with calcination temperature. The templating effect of self-generated ZnO is the essential factor directing the formation of the present high-surface-area ZnAl2O4 spinels with interconnected mesopore networks. Since the precursor has a uniform distribution of metal cations on an atomic level, the formation of spinel requires a low temperature and short calcination time. Further, through photocatalytic investigation, these as-prepared ZnAl2O4 spinels displayed better abilities to photodecompose phenol under UV irradiation due to their higher surface areas structure, compared to ZnAl2O4 sample prepared by the conventional solid-state method.