Effect of CTAC concentration and Al precursor type on texture properties and microstructure of mesoporous alumina particles prepared by aerosol-assisted self-assembly

The effect of the CTAC/Al ratio and the Al precursor type on the texture properties of alumina prepared by the evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA) of aerosols was studied using N2 adsorption isotherms, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). For the CTAC/Al ratio range 0.05 < CTAC/Al < 0.5 the prepared alumina particles had worm-like pore structure with a BET surface area of 170–365 m2/g and pore size of 2.7–3.4 nm. At CTAC/Al = 0.3, the largest surface area was achieved. The chloride precursor was most profitable to obtain the largest surface area (∼365 m2/g). However, the nitrate precursor was better for preparing non-hollow and mesoporous alumina, maintaining high surface area (∼320 m2/g) and pore regularity.