Preparation of a hierarchical flower-like γ-Al2O3@C composite exhibiting enhanced adsorption performance for congo red by high temperature transformation of γ-AlOOH@C precursors

Abstract

A hierarchical flower-like γ-Al₂O₃@C composite was synthesized via a hydrothermal method combined with a heat treatment process using glucose and Al nanopowders as reactants. Herein, glucose plays key roles in the formation of the flower-like structure and carbon shell. Due to the high specific surface area of the flower-like γ-Al₂O₃@C composite (346.2 m² g⁻¹), its adsorption ability was investigated. The organic dye Congo Red (CR) was selected as a subject in the study. Over 90% of CR could be removed from aqueous solution within 5 min, and the final adsorption capacity reaches 244.5 mg g⁻¹ which is much higher than most γ-AlOOH and γ-Al₂O₃ materials reported before, indicating it would be a promising material used in the water treatment industry.