SYNTHESIS AND STRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATION OF NANOCRYSTALLINE ALUMINUM-OXIDE

Nanocrystalline alumina (Al2O3) powder has been synthesized by the d.c . arc plasma method at atmospheric conditions using aluminium electrod es. Structural characterization by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy confirmed the ultrafine nature of the particulates . Investigation of the size distribution revealed a long-normal behavi our of the nanoparticles. Chemical analysis of the particulates was ca rried out using X-ray photoemission spectroscopy. The Al 2p core level spectrum revealed the presence of unreacted Al0, in addition to Al3+, suggesting a core of Al0 surrounded by a layer of Al2O3 as the partic le structure.