Taguchi optimization for combustion synthesis of aluminum oxide nano-particles

Abstract

Nano-structured aluminum oxide powders were prepared by a combustion synthesis method utilizing serine as a new fuel. The product was sonicated to obtain nano powders. A Taguchi L-4 statistical design of combustion synthesis was utilized to optimize the production of γ-alumina powder. The product was characterized by XRD, BET, SEM, EDX and LLS. Nano crystalline γ-alumina with crystal sizes between 4.26 and 5.47 nm and α-Al 2O3 powders with crystal sizes 24.51 and 28.62 nm were obtained by the combustion synthesis. The specific surface area was measured by a BET method to be 75.21 m2/g. The average particle size after sonication of product, observed by LLS, was 79.32 nm.