ULTRAFINE SPINEL POWDERS BY FLAME SPRAY-PYROLYSIS OF A MAGNESIUM ALUMINUM DOUBLE ALKOXIDE

Ultrafine crystalline spinel powder has been prepared using flame spra y pyrolysis of alcoholic solutions of a novel double alkoxide precurso r, The particles produced are spherical, dense, single crystals with d iameters of 10-100 nm and specific surface areas ranging from 40 to 60 m(2)/g. Powder production rates of 50-100 g/h are achieved using a be nchtop apparatus. Particle formation appears to occur by rapid oxidati on of the organic ligands followed by nucleation and growth from oxide species.