High-surface-area corundum nanoparticles by resistive hotspot-induced phase transformation

Deng, Bing; Advincula, Paul A.; Luong, Duy Xuan; Zhou, Jingan; Zhang, Boyu; Wang, Zhe; McHugh, Emily A.; Chen, Jinhang; Carter, Robert A.; Kittrell, Carter; Lou, Jun; Zhao, Yuji; Yakobson, Boris I.; Zhao, Yufeng; Tour, James M.

doi:10.1038/s41467-022-32622-4

Title: High-surface-area corundum nanoparticles by resistive hotspot-induced phase transformation

Journal Article · 25 August 2022 · Nature Communications

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-32622-4 · OSTI ID:1883634

; Advincula, Paul A.; Luong, Duy Xuan; Zhou, Jingan; Zhang, Boyu; Wang, Zhe; McHugh, Emily A.; Chen, Jinhang;

; Kittrell, Carter;

; Zhao, Yuji;

;

Abstract High-surface-area α-Al ₂ O ₃ nanoparticles are used in high-strength ceramics and stable catalyst supports. The production of α-Al ₂ O ₃ by phase transformation from γ-Al ₂ O ₃ is hampered by a high activation energy barrier, which usually requires extended high-temperature annealing (~1500 K, > 10 h) and suffers from aggregation. Here, we report the synthesis of dehydrated α-Al ₂ O ₃ nanoparticles (phase purity ~100%, particle size ~23 nm, surface area ~65 m ² g ⁻¹ ) by a pulsed direct current Joule heating of γ-Al ₂ O ₃ . The phase transformation is completed at a reduced bulk temperature and duration (~573 K, < 1 s) via an intermediate δʹ-Al ₂ O ₃ phase. Numerical simulations reveal the resistive hotspot-induced local heating in the pulsed current process enables the rapid transformation. Theoretical calculations show the topotactic transition (from γ- to δʹ- to α-Al ₂ O ₃ ) is driven by their surface energy differences. The α-Al ₂ O ₃ nanoparticles are sintered to nanograined ceramics with hardness superior to commercial alumina and approaching that of sapphire.

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Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: FE0031794

OSTI ID:: 1883634

Journal Information:: Nature Communications, Journal Name: Nature Communications Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 13; ISSN 2041-1723

Publisher:: Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United Kingdom

Language:: English

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