A series of new inorganic/organic composites were synthesized by polymerization of acrylic acid in a concentrated aqueous suspension of alumina powder, using N,N’-methylenebisacrylamide as crosslinker. The inorganic/organic composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal analysis (TGA/DTG), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Composite materials, with a volumetric shrinkage ranging from 50 to 87% depending on the acrylic acid concentration, were obtained. By increasing the acrylic acid concentration, the compressive strength increased up to 230 MPa. It was demonstrated that these composite systems can form porous alumina ceramic materials with ~80% porosity after burning off the organic network.

 

 

 

 

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