Preparation of pseudo-boehmite through the dawsonite as an intermediate

In this article, a process named NaAlO2-Dawsonite-Pseudo-boehmite was proposed. By using dawsonite as an intermediate, pseudo-boehmite (PB) with high pore volume could be synthesized through this process. The as-synthesized mesoporous products were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and nitrogen adsorption-desorption. It was found that the pH value of the solution plays an important role in the formation of high pore volume PB. PXRD, TEM, and N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms studies of the structures isolated from the reaction mixtures under various transforming pH values were undertaken to elucidate the mechanism responsible for the formation of the PB with high pore volume. Furthermore, we found that the specific surface area increased with the decrease of the pH value, and the pore volume, the average pore diameter of the PB could be adjustable through the experimental parameters.