Preparation of nanocrystalline CuAlO₂ through sol-gel route

Nanocrystalline powders of CuAlO2 were synthesized through sol-gel method using nitrate-citrate route and also through solid state reaction method. We used a new set of precursor materials for the synthesis of CuAlO2 through sol-gel route which were not reported in the past. A little lowering of the synthesis temperature (1,000 A degrees C) was observed in case of sol-gel process compared to the solid state reaction method (1,100 A degrees C) and also at shorter time duration. The particle size of the synthesized powders was determined through small angle X-ray scattering. It has been observed that the particle size prepared by nitrate-citrate technique is less than the particle size prepared by the solid-state reaction method. Chemical states of the atomic species were determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The formation of phase pure CuAlO2 were also confirmed by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy. A number of solvents were also used for finding the best possible combinations for obtaining phase pure CuAlO2 at 1,000 A degrees C and it was observed that only the combination of nitrate salts, citric acid and ethanol resulted phase pure CuAlO2.