Hydrothermal Synthesis of Porous Al2O3/Al Metal Ceramics: I. Oxidation of Aluminum Powder and Structure Formation of Porous Al(OH)3/Al Composite

The properties of ASD-1 aluminum powder and its oxidation with water at 100°C were studied. It was found that the microstructure of a surface oxide film and the conditions of oxidation significantly affected the dynamics of changes in the pH of the solution and in the degree of aluminum conversion into the hydroxide. Experimental data on the oxidation in combination with electron-microscopic measurements and the determination of adsorption and texture characteristics resulted in the conclusion that colloid-chemical processes, which include the dissolution of aluminum and the formation and precipitation of the hydroxo complexes of aluminum, are fundamental for the synthesis of porous metal ceramics.