Making nanosized oxide powders from precursors by flame spray pyrolysis

Mixed-metal alkoxide precursors to a wide variety of aluminosilicate precursors can be synthesized directly by reaction of silica and/or aluminum hydroxide, and group I or IT metal hydroxides or oxides. The resulting alkoxide precursors are ethanol soluble and can be aerosolized for combustion. The combustion process provides access to dense single particle powders that range from 2-200 nm in size, are normally unagglomerated, and often single crystals. These powders can be processed to dense monoliths with minimum effort. Examples of nanopowders formed include spinel, mullite and strontium aluminosilicate.