Production of γ-Al 2 O 3 from Kaolin

Abstract

The paper reports a process for synthesis of γ-alumina from kaolin. Kaolin was transformed to meta-kaolin by calcination at 800oC for 2h. γ-alumina powder was synthesized through extracting alumina from meta- kaolin via H2SO4 and meta-kaolin reactions and consequently precipitation in ethanol, which led to form the aluminum sulfate. The precipitated aluminum sulfate was dried and calcined at 900 oC for 2h, which resulted the formation of γ-alumina. The structure of γ-alumina was confirmed by XRD and FTIR and the mean particles size of γ-alumina was determined by SEM to be 0.5 - 0.9 µm. The study revealed the kaolin could be promising material for preparation of γ-alumina.