Microwave-assisted sol–gel synthesis of alpha alumina nanopowder and study of the rheological behavior

In the present work, alpha alumina nanopowder was synthesized via a sol–gel route. After preparation of bohemite (AlOOH) sol, carbon black was added and the resultant sol was dried and calcined in microwave furnace for 10 min. XRD results showed that alpha alumina was the only crystalline phase with specific surface area, mean diameter and crystallite size of 51 m2 g−1, 100 and 25 nm, respectively. Rheological measurements revealed that the optimal content of Tiron at pH=10 is 1 and 0.1 g per 100 g nano- and micron-alumina (1.5 m2 g−1), respectively. Furthermore, the optimum solid content of the slips was determined as 35–45 and 70 wt.% for nano- and micron-alumina, respectively.