Synthesis of MgAl2O4 by Gelatin Method: Effect of Temperature and Time of Calcination in Crystalline Structure

Magnesium aluminate can be obtained by the methods: ceramic method, sol-gel, co-precipitation, hydrothermal and combustion. However, this work presents a simple and low cost route to obtain MgAl2O4 through the gelatin method. The main objective was to use gelatin as an organic precursor and to verify the influence of temperature and time of calcination on the structural and morphological properties of obtained materials. Al and Mg nitrates were used as metal precursors with Al/Mg = 2 ratio. Samples were calcined as follows: 700 ºC, 900 ºC and 1100 ºC during 2 and 4 h. The powders were characterized by TGA, XRD and SEM. A single phase material with a crystallinity of 39.18 - 90.40% and crystallite size in the range of 12.4 to 55.5 nm was obtained. The materials exhibited morphology in the form of plates and small agglomerates. It was found that increasing temperature and time of calcination favored the growth of crystallites and increased crystallinity.