Journal of Undergraduate Research
Keywords
fingerprinting, aluminum oxide, electron energy-loss spectroscopy, EELS
College
Physical and Mathematical Sciences
Department
Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
The alpha, gamma, and kappa phases of aluminum oxide were analyzed using transmission electron microscopy. Micro- and nano-powders of alpha and gamma alumina were donated by Dr. Bartholomew of the BYU Chemical Engineering Department and Alpha Aesar. Kappa phase alumina nanopowders were generated by annealing from a gibbsite powder donated by Nabaltec. Electron energy-loss spectrum (EELS) with an energy resolution of 0.4 eV were recorded for the alpha and gamma phase. This energy resolution was achieved using a Tecnai F20 Analytical Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope (STEM) equipped with a monochromator, Gatan energy filter (GIF) and high resolution spectrometer in STEM mode. Electron diffraction and powder x-ray diffraction were also used to confirm the phase of micron and nanopowder alumina samples. The results from indexing peak and ring diffraction patterns proved to be ambiguous and were resolved by comparing EELS spectra with published fingerprints.
Recommended Citation
Cullen, David and Vanfleet, Dr. Richard
(2013)
"ORCA Final Report: Fingerprinting the α and γ Phases of Alumina using Electron Energy-loss Spectroscopy,"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013:
Iss.
1, Article 2749.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/2749