Synthesis and characterization of boehmite nanofibers

Boehmite nanofibers of high quality were synthesized through a wet-gel conversion process without the use of a surfactant. The long nanofibers of boehmite with clear-cut edges were obtained by steaming the wet-gel precipitate at 170 ºC for 2 days under a pH 5. Hydrothermal treatment of the boehmite gels enabled self-assembly through directed crystal growth. Detailed characterization using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Infrared Emission Spectroscopy (IES) and Raman Spectroscopy is presented.