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Abstract

Novel uniform single-crystal boehmite leaf-like nanosheets with high anisotropy (with a lateral size of (4.5±0.5 μm)×(9.0±1.0 μm) and a thickness of 60–90 nm) and flower-like superstructures consisting of single-crystal petals were synthesized for the first time by a simple hydrothermal method. After calcination, those boehmite structures can be transformed into single-crystal gamma alumina nanostructures while keeping their morphology. The morphologies and the crystal structures of single-crystal boehmite nanoleaves and flower-like superstructures were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy(TEM), and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The formation mechanism of the nanoleaves and flower-like superstructure is also discussed. The synthesis of uniform single-crystal boehmite and γ-alumina is highly helpful to study various properties of these anisotropic structures.