Statistical analysis of synthesis of gamma-alumina (γ-Al₂O₃) nanoparticles using reverse micelles

An experimental design method was used to optimize the synthesis of gamma-alumina with a superior thermal stability using the reverse micelle method. First, twelve experimental conditions were derived by using the mixture design method to optimize conditions for the ratio of surfactant, water and oil, which are main factors in the synthesis process. When the particles synthesized by reverse micelle method were calcined at 900 ℃ under the designed condition, they all had gamma-alumina crystal structure although there were differences in particle sizes. The coefficient of determination of the second-order regression model using the derived experimental results was 93.68% and the P-value was 0.002. The synthesis conditions for-gamma- alumina with various particle sizes were presented using surface and contour lines. As a result, it was calculated that the smallest particle size of about 2.8 nm was synthesized when the ratio of surfactant/water/oil was 0.3450/0.0729/0.5821.