Preparation of Cordierite Ceramics from Metal Alkoxides (Part 1)

Abstract

A new method for preparing homogeneous cordierite ceramics by a sol-gel process is described. Reactive and fine cordierite-type amorphous powder with high homogeneity was prepared by the sol-gel method. The hydrolysis of metal alkoxides used as starting materials was controlled. Namely, Si(OC2H5)4, with a hydrolysis rate lower than that of Mg (OC2H5)2 or Al (OC3H7i)3, was partially hydrolyzed and then mixed or reacted with Mg and Al alkoxides which had been reacted in butyl-alcohol. The cordierite powders prepared by the sol-gel method were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction study, differential thermal analysis (DTA) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with an energy dispersion X-ray microprobe analyzer (EDX). Homogeneous cordierite powders were obtained from Mg(OC2H5)2, Al(OC3H7i)3 and Si(OC2H5)4. The homogeneity of resultant oxides depended upon the hydrolysis method of alkoxides.