A new route to alumoxane gel: A versatile precursor to γ-alumina and alumina-based ceramic oxides

We present a new route for the preparation of γ-alumina and YAG nanoparticles. Metal salts of ethylhexanoic acids provide good solubility in hydrocarbon solvents and allow efficient ultrasonication. The sonication product is an alumioxane gel, which can reversibly collapse and reform, depending on the solvent used. The dried gel nanoparticles are calcined at temperatures significantly lower than those used in conventional syntheses, resulting in γ-alumina nanoparticles. This is due to the complete mixing of elements at the atomic level and the small size of the formed nanoparticles.