Whisker-like boehmite crystals with high aspect ratios were hydrothermally synthesized from gibbsite in magnesium acetate (Mg(CH3COO)2;MgAc2) solution,and they were used as a component of a precursor of MgAl204 spinel.
The precursor of the spinel was a mixture of Mg-doped boehmite,MgAc2 deposited on boehmite
and small quantities of unknown compounds.The precursor was heated at 500-1200℃ for 1h in air.
The spinel was formed lust after the decomposition of MgAc2 into activated MgO by the reaction
between the boehmite and the MgO without accompanying the formation of γ-Alumina phase.The
spinel formation occurred at a temperature as low as 500℃ in air.