What is Pseudo Boehmite?
Pseudo boehmite (also written pseudoboehmite, chemical formula AlOOH·nH₂O) is a poorly crystallized form of aluminum oxyhydroxide with high water content and nano-scale crystallite size (3-10 nm). It is the most important precursor for active alumina catalysts and is widely used as a peptizable binder in catalyst shaping.
When calcined at 450-600°C, pseudo boehmite transforms into high-surface-area gamma-alumina (γ-Al₂O₃) — the most widely used catalyst support in petroleum refining and petrochemical industries. The small crystallite size of pseudo boehmite enables gamma-alumina with surface areas of 200-380 m²/g, much higher than can be achieved from crystalline boehmite or gibbsite.
Technical Specifications
Three tailored product grades designed for distinct catalytic and binder processing requirements. Custom PSD and pore volume tailoring available upon request.
Standard Catalyst Grade — PB-01
Optimized for general FCC catalyst carrier extrusion and active alumina sphere preparation.
Al₂O₃ Content: ≥ 65% | Pore Volume: 0.40 – 0.50 cm³/g | Na₂O Content: ≤ 0.10% | Peptization Rate: ≥ 90%
Low Sodium / High Purity — PB-02
Specially developed for hydrotreating catalysts and premium chemical synthesis applications.
Al₂O₃ Content: ≥ 68% | Na₂O Content: ≤ 0.03% (Low Na) | Fe₂O₃ Content: ≤ 0.02% | Crystal Phase: Pure Pseudo Boehmite
High Pore Volume / Fast Peptizing — PB-03
Engineered with large pore volume and rapid acid peptization for high-strength binder formulations.
Pore Volume: 0.80 – 1.10 cm³/g | BET Area: 260 – 320 m²/g | Peptization Index: ≥ 98% | Dispersion Index: Excellent
Technical Specifications Matrix
Detailed chemical composition and physical properties measured by standard XRD and BET testing.
| Technical Parameter | Standard Grade (PB-01) | Low-Na High Purity (PB-02) | Large Pore Grade (PB-03) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Al₂O₃ Content (wt%) | 65.0% – 68.0% | 68.0% – 72.0% | 65.0% – 70.0% |
| Na₂O Content (wt%) | ≤ 0.10% | ≤ 0.03% | ≤ 0.05% |
| Fe₂O₃ Content (wt%) | ≤ 0.03% | ≤ 0.015% | ≤ 0.025% |
| SiO₂ Content (wt%) | ≤ 0.15% | ≤ 0.08% | ≤ 0.10% |
| Pore Volume (cm³/g) | 0.40 – 0.55 | 0.45 – 0.60 | 0.80 – 1.10 |
| BET Surface Area (m²/g) | 220 – 260 | 250 – 290 | 270 – 320 |
| Peptization Index (%) | ≥ 90.0% | ≥ 95.0% | ≥ 98.0% |
| Loss on Ignition (LOI 1000°C, wt%) | 25.0% – 30.0% | 25.0% – 30.0% | 28.0% – 33.0% |
| Crystal Phase (XRD) | Pseudo Boehmite | Pure Pseudo Boehmite | Pseudo Boehmite |
Primary Industrial Applications
Functions as a vital raw material across catalyst synthesis, refining, and industrial adsorbents.
- 1. Refinery Catalysts Carrier (FCC / Hydrotreating): Used as the main carrier component for semi-synthetic Y-zeolite cracking catalysts, hydrocracking, and hydrodesulfurization (HDS) catalysts due to its high thermal stability and pore network.
- 2. Binder for Molecular Sieves: Serves as an inorganic acid-soluble binder in the extrusion shaping of ZSM-5, Beta, and Y molecular sieves, granting high crush strength without blocking active pore channels.
- 3. Active Alumina Substrate: Calcined at controlled temperatures (500–800°C) to manufacture γ-Al₂O₃ (Gamma Alumina) beads and extrudates for desiccant drying, Claus sulfur recovery, and VOC catalysts.
- 4. High-End Ceramics & Refractories: Provides strong binder action and sintering aid in high-purity refractory fibers, ceramic membranes, and abrasion-resistant spark plug ceramic bodies.
- 3 named product grades (PB-01 / PB-02 / PB-03) + custom PSD & pore volume tailoring on request
- Low Na₂O / High Purity grade (PB-02) with Na₂O ≤0.03% — critical for hydrotreating catalysts where sodium poisons active sites
- High peptization index (≥95%, up to ≥98% on PB-03) for smooth sol formation
- Customizable PSD and surface area — D50 from 5 to 100 μm, BET SA 220-320 m²/g
- ISO 9001:2015 certified with batch-to-batch CV <5% for key parameters
- 15+ years export experience — trusted by catalyst manufacturers in 30+ countries
- Free 1-2 kg sample for evaluation
Why Choose Our Pseudo Boehmite?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is pseudo boehmite and how is it different from boehmite?
Pseudo boehmite (pseudoboehmite) is a poorly crystallized form of aluminum oxyhydroxide (AlOOH·nH2O) with high water content (n = 0.4-0.6) and very small crystallite size (3-10 nm). True boehmite has well-developed crystals with lower water content. Pseudo boehmite is the preferred precursor for active alumina because its small crystallite size and high surface area produce superior gamma-alumina catalysts after calcination. Pseudo boehmite is also the standard peptizable binder for FCC catalysts and other shaped catalyst carriers.
What is pseudo boehmite used for?
Main applications: (1) Catalyst precursor - converted to high-surface-area gamma-alumina for HDS, HDN, hydrocracking catalysts. (2) Peptizable binder for shaping FCC catalysts and other extrudates/spheres. (3) Coating binder for catalyst washcoats (TWC, DOC, SCR). (4) Active alumina manufacturing - pseudoboehmite + acid forms alumina sol used in ceramics, fibers, and thin films. (5) High-purity alumina precursor for sapphire, lithium battery separator coating, and specialty ceramics.
How is pseudo boehmite made?
Pseudo boehmite is manufactured by neutralizing aluminum salt solutions (typically aluminum sulfate or sodium aluminate) under controlled pH and temperature. The neutralization produces a gelatinous aluminum hydroxide precipitate which is then aged to develop the pseudo boehmite crystal structure, washed to remove sodium and sulfate ions, filtered, and spray-dried to fine powder. Quality control focuses on crystallinity, surface area, and impurity levels (especially Na, Fe, Si).
What is the difference between pseudo boehmite and aluminum hydroxide (ATH)?
Both are aluminum compounds but with different crystal structures and uses. Pseudo boehmite (AlO(OH)·nH2O, CAS 125740-10-5) is a poorly crystalline precursor with high BET surface area (220-320 m²/g) used for catalyst manufacturing. Aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)3) is a fully crystalline gibbsite with low surface area (<1 m²/g) used as flame retardant filler. They are NOT interchangeable: pseudo boehmite is reactive and converts to gamma-alumina on heating; ATH decomposes to alpha-alumina + water at 200-220°C.
What is the minimum order quantity for pseudo boehmite?
Standard grades: MOQ 500 kg. Custom PSD or surface area specifications: MOQ 1-2 metric tons. Free 1-2 kg samples available for evaluation (shipped within 5 days). Lead time: 7-15 days for standard grades, 25-40 days for custom specifications. We can produce from 0.5 MT to 200 MT per month. Packaging: 25 kg plastic woven bags with inner PE film liners, or 500 kg jumbo bags. Custom PSD and pore volume tailoring available on request.