Synthesis of aluminum borate nanorods by a low-heating-temperature solid-state precursor method

Well-crystalline Al4B2O9 nanorods were synthesized by a low-heating-temperature solid-state precursor method. This process does not involve the use of metal catalyst or protective gas. The products were characterized by thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed the products to possess a single phase, large surface area, narrow size distribution of 20–30 nm and lengths up to several micrometers. A self-catalytic growth mechanism of the aluminum borate nanorods is proposed.