Chinese Journal of Applied Chemistry ›› 2025, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (4): 466-479.DOI: 10.19894/j.issn.1000-0518.240377

• Review • Previous Articles    

Research Progress on the Hydrolysis-Polymerization Forms and Mechanisms of Aluminum

Hui LI, Zhi-Zhong XIE(), Ji FENG   

  1. School of Chemistry,Chemical Engineering and Life Sciences,Wuhan University of Technology,Wuhan 430070,China
  • Received:2024-11-20 Accepted:2025-03-10 Published:2025-04-01 Online:2025-05-14
  • Contact: Zhi-Zhong XIE
  • Supported by:
    the Special Fund for Basic Scientific Research for Central Universities(2020IB027)

Abstract:

The study of aluminum hydrolysis and polymerization forms has long been at the forefront of research in numerous fields, including analytical chemistry, materials science, geochemistry, environmental science and biotoxicology. Aluminum species are primarily categorized into three forms: monomeric hydroxyl species, polymeric hydroxyl species, and sol or gel species. Currently, the mainstream analytical methods for studying aluminum species include the Al-Ferron timed complexation colorimetric spectrophotometry, 27Al nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (27Al NMR), and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Among the polymeric aluminum species, the Keggin-structured polyaluminum chloride (Al13) and polyaluminum (Al30) species are particularly notable for their high positive charge density and stability, which hold significant importance for the development of inorganic polymer coagulants. This paper provides an overview of the distribution of aluminum hydrolysis species, the primary analytical methods for aluminum species, and the mechanisms of aluminum hydrolysis and polymerization. It also summarizes the formation mechanisms and research progress in the applications of Al13 and Al30 species, while offering insights into future research directions in aluminum hydrolysis and polymerization.

Key words: Aluminum hydrolysis-polymerization, Aluminum form analysis, Al13, Al30

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