Synthesis and characterization of high surface area aluminium and alumina microtubes from carbonaceous materials

An original synthesis route to obtain high surface area metallic aluminium and alumina microtubes was developed. Samples were prepared by adsorption of an aluminium hydride solution in diethyl ether on fibrous carbonaceous substrates, followed by calcination at temperatures ranging from 250 degreesC to 1600 degreesC. The surface area (BET) of samples obtained after substrate elimination is about 45 m(2) g(-1). The crystallinity of samples was determined by X-ray diffraction and their morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy.