Metal oxide powder synthesis by the "emulsion combustion" method

Alumina powders were synthesized by the emulsion combustion method, using w/o (water in oil) type emulsions with different aqueous microsphere sizes. The effects of microsphere size on the size and shape of the synthesized powder were evaluated. The powders were spherical and hollow in shape with a very thin shell (from 10 to 20 nm in thickness) when synthesized from large aqueous microspheres (from 200 nm to 1 mu m). The sizes and specific surface areas of the powders were consistent with those calculated. Large particles, which did not correspond to the microsphere size, were obtained from small aqueous microspheres (6 nm). The short distance (7 nm) between microspheres causes the adhesion of particles during the firing process.