Towards The Determination Of The Structure Of Y-Alumina

Gamma alumina (y-Al203) is an industrially significant material. However, controversy remains over its structure. This paper details the examination of five single phase and two dual phase structure models of y-Al203 using Rietveld analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Results show that the existing models do not provide a satisfactory fit to the data obtained here. However, if the distribution of aluminium is assumed to be isotropic, there is evidence that the structure could be higher tetragonal, or consisting of two phases, as opposed to the traditional cubic spinel.