Wet chemical synthesis of monocalcium aluminate

Monocalcium aluminate, CaAl2O4, is the main constituent of calcium aluminate cements (CACs), which are used in a wide range of applications. Conventionally, monocalcium aluminate is prepared by long lasting sintering of the solid oxide mixture in temperatures exceeding 1400 °C. The Pechini process is an alternative, low temperature polymeric precursor route for the synthesis of high purity oxides. In the present work, CaAl2O4 is prepared through the Pechini technique. Conventional solid-state synthesis is used in order to compare the final products with those obtained through the Pechini technique. As it is concluded, the Pechini technique can be successfully applied for the synthesis of CaAl2O4. Its formation requires a 3-h sintering at 900 °C. The final product is crystalline CaAl2O4 of high purity, without any impurities of reactants or secondary phases.