An electrodeposition method was used to form nanometre-sized alumina particles on a silicon carbide surface. A direct current in the range from 0.15 to 11.8 mA/m(2) was flowed between a cylindrical carbon cathode and a porous silicon carbide anode in an aqueous solution containing ethylenediantinetetraacetatoaluminium (III) (Al-EDTA(-)) at a pH 6. The current density increased with an increase of the applied voltage and showed a maximum as a function of deposition time. The deposited alumina precursor was estimated to be (OH)AI(OOCH)2. After calcination at 800 degrees C in an Ar atmosphere, the uniformly deposited precursor changed to alumina particles with a specific surface area of 44.3 m(2)/g.
Keywords: electrodeposition; current density; alumina precursor; silicon carbide