Determination Of Aluminum Coordination Environments In Amorphous AI2O3 By Solid State Nmr Spectroscopy

ABSTRACTIt previously has been difficult to probe the localized coordination environment of aluminum atoms in amorphous alumina samples by solid state NMR spectroscopy. Such an in situ technique has benefits in probing the structure of the material and monitoring the evolution of the microstructural development during thermal processing. The recent developments of more sophisticated NMR techniques by Pines, et al., specifically devised for treatment of problems unique to the solid state spectroscopy of quadrupolar nuclei, have permitted a glimpse into these Materials. As a result of applying these experimental techniques to new materials systems, a better understanding of the solid state structure of amorphous aluminas derived from polymer pyrolysis has emerged. Correlations between the onset and completion of crystallization and the localized structure may now be possible.