Homogeneous precipitation of mullite precursors

Abstract

The synthesis of mullite powders or gels from an aqueous precursor solution has been studied. The starting solution is made by hydrolyzing TEOS into an aqueous solution of aluminium nitrate. When this solution is sprayed into a solution of ammonia in isopropanol, a nearly monophasic mullite precursor is obtained, whereas if this precipitation is made into an aqueous solution of ammonia, or ammonium carbonate, a diphasic colloidal precipitate is formed. By a slow and homogeneous precipitation in aqueous solution, induced by in-situ generation of ammonia by thermal hydrolysis of urea, a monophasic gel is also obtained. The samples have been studied by DTA, DSC, TGA, XRD and dilatometry.