A STUDY ON THE SYNTHESIS OF MgAl2O4 SPINEL BY STARCH ASSISTED SOL-GEL PROCESS

Abstract

In this paper, the synthesis of ceramic spinel MgAl₂O₄ by starch assisted sol - gel process is presented. The gel mixture was prepared by using Mg(NO₃)₂.6H₂O, Al(NO₃)₃.9H₂O as precursors and starch as a gel agent. The study focused on relevant components of gel mixture and the calcinating temperature. The results showed that suitable molar proportion of Mg²⁺/Al³⁺; starch/(Mg²⁺ + Al³⁺) and H₂O/starch were 0.5, 0.4 and 60, respectively. The calcination at               1100 ^oC for 60 minutes was suitable for forming phase of spinel. The product was a single phase of spinel MgAl₂O₄ with excellent crystallinity and uniform size in the range of 300 to 400 nm.