Evidence of aluminum oxide monolayer formation on a silica gel surface using grafting reactions.

EVIDENCE OF ALUMINUM OXIDE MONOLAYER FORMATION ON A SILICA GEL SURFACE USING GRAFTING REACTIONS. Aluminum oxide was dispersed on a commercial silica gel surface, using successive grafting reactions. The reaction products were characterized by N-2 adsorption-desorption isotherms, scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy. The progressive incorporation of aluminum, up to 5.5% (w/w), does not produce agglomeration of alumina, since changes ill the original pore size distribution of the silica matrix were not observed. The aluminum oxide covers homogeneously the silica surface.