Influence of cryogenic drying conditions on hierarchical porous structure of aluminum oxide systems

Highly porous alumina systems were aimed to produce by low energy-consuming sol–gel and freeze drying techniques. A 3D molecular gel structure derived by sol–gel method is provided as a precursor for vacuum freeze drying process. The typical inorganic precursor is an aqueous colloid solution such as sol or suspension. The new type of precursor results in a new columnar pore structure. The porous system keeps their high porosity even above 1500 °C in contrast with the reported heat resistance value (