Glycothermal synthesis of metal oxides

The author has been exploring the synthesis of inorganic materials in organic solvents at temperatures (200–300 °C) higher than their boiling points (solvothermal reaction), and has developed various reaction methods for the synthesis of ultrafine particles of metal oxides. In this paper, the reactions of aluminium compounds (aluminium hydroxide (Al(OH) 3 ; gibbsite), aluminium alkoxides, and aluminium salts) in various organic solvents (alcohols, glycols, aminoalcohols, and inert organic solvents) are first reviewed, and reaction mechanisms and effects of the starting materials and solvents on the products are discussed. Then, the specificity of the use of glycols, especially 1,4-butanediol (glycothermal reaction), is clarified, and glycothermal synthesis of crystalline mixed oxides such as yttrium aluminium garnet is described. Finally, the use of the solvothermally prepared products as the catalyst materials is described.