Abstract: A new way to prepare Al₂O₃ catalytic material by template method was reported. This material has good mechanical strength and run-through-macropore network structure to carry catalysts. In order to guarantee the run-through of the macropores when the volume fraction of template polystyrene(PS) was below 74%, the modified polystyrene(PS) microspheres in suspension were gelled before they were compounded with the nanoparticles of Al₂O₃. Rheological test was used to characterize the gelating process of PS microspheres suspension. It was indicated that adding Al(NO₃)₃ solution with suitable concentration helps the transformation of suspension from sol to gel. Scanning electron microscopic(SEM) images show that the coordination number of macroporous Al₂O₃ material is lower than that of ordered macroporous structures and its framework is thicker. Additionally, the macropores left by the templates are interconnective through some windows. Compressive strength test on this material proved that its mechanical strength was improved remarkably as the mass fraction of template PS microspheres decreased.

Key words: Macroporous catalytic material, Polystyrene sphere, Al₂O₃ nanoparticle, Gel