Aluminium oxide - Al2O3

What is Aluminium Oxide (Al2O3)?

Al2O3 is an inorganic chemical reagent with chemical name Aluminium oxide. It is also called as Alpha-Alumina, alumina, alundum or aloxide.

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It is found naturally as corundum, Ruby’s, sapphires, and emeralds. It is an amphoteric substance, which reacts with both acids and bases. It occurs as solid and appears white. It is odourless and insoluble in water. The most common occurrence of this compound is in crystalline form, called α-aluminium oxide or corundum. Due to its hardness, is widely used and suitable to use as an abrasive and in cutting tools.

Aluminium oxide Structure

(Al2O3 Structure)

aluminium

Properties of Aluminium oxide – Al2O3

Al2O3 Aluminium oxide
Molecular Weight/ Molar Mass 101.96 g/mol
Density 3.95 g/cm³
Boiling Point 2,977 °C
Melting Point 2,072 °C

Chemical Properties of Aluminium Oxide

1. Reaction with sodium hydroxide

Aluminium oxide reacts with sodium hydroxide to produce sodium aluminate and water. This reaction takes place at a temperature of 900-1100°C. Salt and water are obtained in this reaction in which aluminium oxide acts as an acid.

Al2O3 + 2NaOH → 2NaAlO2 + H2O

2. Reaction with sulphuric acid

Metal oxides are generally basic in nature but aluminium oxide is amphoteric oxide.

Hence it acts both as acid and base. In this case, it acts as a base

Al2O3 + H2SO4 → Al2(SO4)3 + H2O

This is a neutralisation reaction. 

3. Reaction with hydrochloric acid

Aluminium oxide contains oxide ions, and thus reacts with acids in the same way sodium or magnesium oxides do. Aluminium oxide reacts with hot dilute hydrochloric acid to give aluminium chloride solution.

Al2O3+6HCl → 2AlCl3+3H2O

Aluminium oxide (Al2O3 ) Uses

  • Aluminium oxide is one of the common ingredients in sunscreen and is also present in cosmetics such as nail polish, blush, and lipstick.
  • It is used in formulations of glass.
  • It is used as a catalyst.
  • It is used in the purification of water to remove water from the gas streams.
  • It is used in sandpaper as an abrasive.
  • Aluminium oxide is an electrical insulator used as a substrate for integrated circuits.
  • Used in sodium vapour lamps.


Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Q1

What is aluminium oxide used for?

Aluminium oxide is a very good ceramic oxide which has many important applications in the manufacture of adsorbents and catalysts. It is also used in the aerospace industry and in the production of many commercially important chemicals.

Q2

How can aluminium oxide be produced?

Aluminium oxide can be obtained from the calcination of Gibbsite, which is denoted by the chemical formula Al(OH)3. The chemical equation for this reaction is given by:
2Al(OH)3 → 3H2O + Al2O3

Q3

Is aluminium(III) oxide acidic or basic?

Aluminium(III) oxide is an amphoteric metal oxide, i.e. this compound exhibits both acidic and basic qualities. The nature of the other reactant in the chemical reaction decides the acidic or basic nature of Al2O3

Q4

What liquids react aluminium?

Aluminium reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid to form aluminium chloride and hydrogen gas. Chlorine and liquid bromine react with aluminium at room temperature.

Q5

Why can’t aluminium react with water?

Aluminium metal rapidly develops a thin layer of aluminium oxide of a few millimetres that prevents the metal from reacting with water. When this layer is corroded a reaction develops, releasing highly flammable hydrogen gas.

Learn more about the chemical behaviour and importance of Aluminium oxide with the expert faculties at BYJU’S.

Other related links:

Conductors Types Of Catalyst

 

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