Glycothermal synthesis of metal oxides

Abstract

The author has been exploring the synthesis of inorganic materials in organic solvents at temperatures(200–300 °C) higher than their boiling points (solvothermal reaction), and has developedvarious reaction methods for the synthesis of ultrafine particles of metal oxides. Inthis paper, the reactions of aluminium compounds (aluminium hydroxide(Al(OH)3; gibbsite), aluminium alkoxides, and aluminium salts) in various organic solvents (alcohols,glycols, aminoalcohols, and inert organic solvents) are first reviewed, and reactionmechanisms and effects of the starting materials and solvents on the products arediscussed. Then, the specificity of the use of glycols, especially 1,4-butanediol (glycothermalreaction), is clarified, and glycothermal synthesis of crystalline mixed oxides such asyttrium aluminium garnet is described. Finally, the use of the solvothermally preparedproducts as the catalyst materials is described.