Size effects on the formation of LaAlO3 phase in La-doped γ-Al2O3 after hydrothermal treatment

Abstract

A series of La-doped alumina ceramics were prepared by a strong electrostatic adsorption technique in comparison with a conventional incipient wetness impregnation method. The commercial La-doped alumina support was used as a reference sample. The samples were calcined in a temperature range of 800–1200 °C. The characterization of the ceramics was performed using low-temperature nitrogen adsorption, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, and photoluminescence. A strong electrostatic interaction between alumina and lanthanum was found to affect the stabilization of alumina and the resistance of La2O3 towards agglomeration during the wet procedures. The size effects related to the formation of LaAlO3 of ∼10 nm in size from the amorphous oxide phase take place on the surface of alumina doped with lanthanum. In cases of the commercial La-modified alumina sample and the sample prepared by wetness impregnation with lanthanum nitrate, the hydrothermal treatment under mild conditions has two effects. Firstly, the La2O3 particles weakly bonded with the support grow in size. Secondly, the high-temperature calcination of the samples leads to the formation of the LaAlO3 phase. Oppositely, the samples prepared by the adsorption of La(EDTA)- complexes showed no formation of the LaAlO3 phase neither before nor after the hydrothermal treatment procedure. The key factor accelerating the dissolution of the La2O3 particles was found to be the regime of the suspension stirring.