Copper aluminate (CuAl2O4) nanoparticles have been synthesized using micro reactors made of Igepal CO520/water/cyclohexane microemulsions. The effect of the water- to- surfactant ratio on the preparation of CuAl2O4 has been studied. The synthesized and calcined powders were characterized by thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis (TGA-DTA), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Phase pure CuAl2O4 was synthesized at 800 degrees C for 2 h at R = 4. The average particle size as determined from TEM varies from 10-20 nm. A High resolution TEM (HRTEM) study shows well resolved (220) fringes corresponding to CuAl2O4. FUR analysis was carried out to monitor the elimination of residual oil and surfactant phases from the micro emulsion-derived precursor and calcined powder.

Keywords: Ceramics; Chemical synthesis; Differential Thermal analysis; Scanning electron microscopy