Nitrate-Citrate Sol-Gel Synthesis of Hydrated Calcium Aluminate and Sorption Materials on Its Basis

Abstract

Sol-gel technique was used to develop a method for synthesis of hydrated tricalcium aluminate Ca₃[Al(OH)₆]₂ and surface-layered gas-chromatographic sorbents on its basis. The materials obtained were examined by X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray fluorescence microanalysis, adsorption porosimetry, and gas chromatography. It was found that cubic Ca₃[Al(OH)₆]₂ is the main phase in the surface layer of the sorption materials. The Hammett indicator method was used to examine the acid-base properties and the variation of the content of active centers between sorbents obtained in different ways. The chromatographic retention parameters were determined for test compounds, and the polarity and selectivity of the sorbents under study was evaluated. It was shown that Chromaton N-AW modified with hydrated calcium aluminate can be used, with addition of SE-30 stationary liquid phase, to separate complex mixtures of organic compounds.