One-step synthesis of hierarchical cantaloupe-like AlOOH superstructures via a hydrothermal route

Hierarchical cantaloupe-like and hollow microspherical AlOOH superstructures were successfully synthesized on a large scale via a one-step hydrothermal route. The as-obtained superstructures were characterized by several techniques, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and nitrogen adsorption/desorption measurement. The as-obtained superstructures, consisting of closely packed nanorods in an ordered fashion, have an average horizontal axis of ca. 2.5 mu m and a longitudinal axis of ca. 1.5 mu m. The as-obtained cantaloupe-like AlOOH superstructures have Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area of about 55.5 m(2)/g. The possible formation mechanism of the cantaloupe-like AlOOH superstructures is proposed and discussed.