New synthesis of mullite. Structural evolution study by 17O, 27Al and 29Si MAS NMR spectroscopy

Mullite has been prepared from a new combination of precursors. An aluminum alkoxide, aluminium isopropoxide, and silicon tetrachloride, are hydrolysed in tetrahydrofuran solution by 17O enriched water. The resulting powder is chemically homogeneous, crystallizing into mullite at 980°C. The structural evolution has been studied by DTA, TGA, XRD and 17O, 27Al and 29Si MAS NMR spectroscopy.