Several phases (alpha, epsilon(z), and gamma) of aluminum fluoride were pre
pared from precursors such as NH4AlF4, (NH4)(3)AlF6, and beta-AlF3. 3H(2)O
using various synthetic strategies. The precursors and the aluminum fluorid
e phases obtained were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluo
rescence, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and infrared spectra (FT-IR),
The structural evolution of the precursors to the different phases of alum
inum fluoride during thermal treatment was studied by dynamic XRD experimen
ts, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis
(TGA), alpha- and gamma-AlF3 phases were obtained with high BET surface ar
eas (>120 and 30 m(2)/g, respectively). These aluminum fluorides with high
BET areas are of potential interest as supports or catalysts in hydrodechlo
rination and fluorination reactions.