Synthesis of bimodally porous γ-alumina granules by sol-gel/oil-drop method

Bimodally porous γ-alumina granules, including mesopores (2-50 nm) and macropores (>50 nm), were prepared by sol-gel and oil-drop method. Mesopores are made from the voids among the alumina crystallites, while macropores are from the space of the decomposed PS particles used as physical templates during the granulation process. The product γ-alumina granules with the average diameter of 2 mm were characterized by FE-SEM, XRD, FT-IR, N₂ porosimetry, and universal mechanical testing system.