Magnesia-Incorporated Mesoporous Alumina with Crystalline Frameworks: A Solid Strong Base Derived from Direct Synthesis

Abstract

By use of a surfactant templating method, the direct synthesis of magnesia-incorporated mesoporous alumina (mMgAl-γ) was realized via self-assembly of inexpensive inorganic salts. The structural and basic properties of the obtained materials were well characterized by various approaches. The results show that mMgAl-γ samples possess strong basicity with excellent water-resistant ability, well-defined mesoporous structure, and γ-Al2O3 crystalline frameworks. In comparison with wet impregnation that leads to structural damage, the direct synthesis strategy allows the mesoporous alumina to maintain good mesostructure. For example, the Brunauer−Emmett−Teller surface area of sample mMgAl(0.1)-γ can reach 328 m2·g−1, which is obviously higher than that of the sample prepared by a conventional impregnation method (239 m2·g−1). Further investigations evidence that the fabrication of suitable preassembled mesoporous precursors is crucial for the efficiency of the present direct synthesis strategy. In the process o...