Synthesis of mesoporous alumina using anionic, nonionic and cationic surfactants

A series of mesoporous alumina was prepared based on literature recipes using anionic, non-ionic and cationic surfactants with aluminum tri-sec-butoxide in organic solvents with controlled amount of water and in aqueous solution using a complexing agent at room temperature to 100 degrees C. The materials obtained demonstrated physicochemical properties in the order of cationic > non-ionic > anionic surfactant system with respect to surface area, thermal stability 2 and porosity. Mesoporous alumina with enhanced textual properties (506 m(2)/g, 0.83 cm(3)/g) and thermal stability to 700 degrees C was prepared with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide in substrate composition of Al: surfactant: H(2)O: sec-butanol = 1.0: 0.3: 2.0: 15.