Abstract
Spherical alumina gel powders were produced by hydrolysis of aluminum sec-butoxide (Al(sec-OC4H9)3) in a n-octanol/acetonitrile mixed solvent. The enlargement of particle size was induced by increasing HPC (hydroypropylcellulose) concentration (0.005, 0.1, and 0.05 g/ι) and emulsion-state aging time (10 min and 360 min). Mean particle sizes of dried alumina gel powders increased from 1.4 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ to 3.5${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ at 10-min emulsion-state aging time and from 1.9${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ to 4.1${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ at 360-min emulsion-state aging time as HPC concentration increased from 0.005 g/ι to 0.05 g/ι. At the same HPC concentration, particle size of dried alumina gel powder increased with increasing of emulsion-state aging time from 10 min to 360 min. The increase in the average particle size of dried alumina gel powder with increase in HPC concentration was interpreted as the enlargement of particles from alkoxide emulsions unprotected by HPC. The produced dried gel powder calcined at 115$0^{\circ}C$ for one hour transformed to $\alpha$-alumina.
