Novel Synthetic Route to Biomorphic Al₂O₃ Ceramics

Abstract

By using rattan palm as a biotemplate, highly porous, α-Al2O3 ceramics with uniaxially directed porosity are produced via aluminum-vapor infiltration and subsequent oxidation in air. The high-strength ceramics retain the microstructural features of the palm (see Figure), and could be used as structural supports in catalytic devices.