Alumina nanofibrous structural self-organization in hollow nanotubes caused by hydrogen treatment

The dependence of high-temperature hydrogen activation on the structure of nanofibrous alumina (filament diameter of 5 nm) was shown. Due to self-organization, nanofibers are twisted in spirals and then in a second stage the spirals interlock and form alumina tubes, which then transform into bundles. In the process of hydrogen activation, the specific surface area changes and amorphous alumina nanowires develop into a nanocrystalline phase. TEM investigations showed that high-temperature hydrogen activation led to the self-organization of the alumina nanofibrous structure into hollow nanotubes with a diameter close to 30 nm. © 2014 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.