High surface area mesoporous alumina nanosheets and nanorolls from an aluminum based metal organic framework

High surface area mesoporous gamma-alumina was prepared from aluminum fumarate metal organic framework (MOF A520)by calcination at 750 degrees C and characterized by Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TGA-DTA), BET surface area measurement, scanning electron microcopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The XRD pattern of products derived by calcination of MOF A520 at 450, 550 and 650 degrees C showed a very low degree of crystallinity or amorphous materials, and by raising temperature to 750 degrees C a well crystallized mesoporous gamma-alumina developed with surface area of 205 m(2) g(-1) and narrow pore size distribution. SEM analysis demonstrated that warm-like morphology of the MOF A520 maintained and did not collapse during calcination; it is just shrunk and transferred to gamma-alumina. TEM study showed a one dimension fibrous morphology, in which fibers curled and produced scrolls. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.