Photo-Cross-Linked Polydimethylacrylamide Hydrogels as Porogens for Mesoporous Alumina

Dimethylacrylamide-based hydrogels were utilized as porogenic matrices in the synthesis of mesoporous aluminum oxide (gamma-Al2O3) with specific BET surface areas up to 360 m(2) g(-1). Polymers with molecular mass in the range 12000-35000 g mol(-1) were synthesized from dimethylacrylamide and various comonomers by free-radical polymerization. Photocross- linking of the polymers and impregnation with aluminum nitrate [Al(NO3)(3)] was carried out in a single step, followed by formation of Al(OH)(3)/AlO(OH) and subsequent calcination. Calcination led to the formation of mesoporous Al2O3 and simultaneous combustion of the hydrogel. The structural properties of the products were characterized by powder XRD, N-2 physisorption analysis, Hg intrusion porosimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis.