Aluminum hydroxide oxide is an inorganic chemical compound also known as aluminium oxyhydroxide or boehmite can be synthesised by different methods.

• Direct precipitation. Aluminum hydroxide oxide can be synthesised by a precipitation process directly from a solution of an aluminium salt. This is usually done by adding a base such as sodium hydroxide to a solution of the aluminium salt. The base precipitates the aluminium ions in the form of aluminium hydroxide oxide.
• Bayer process.  Bauxite ore containing aluminium oxide is dissolved in sodium hydroxide at high temperature. The aluminium oxide reacts with the sodium hydroxide to produce sodium aluminate. When the solution is cooled, the aluminium hydroxide precipitates. This precipitate can be heated to produce pure aluminium oxide.
• Hydrothermal synthesis. In this process, aluminium salts such as aluminium chloride or sulphate are dissolved in water and then heated under pressure. Under high temperature and pressure, aluminium ions react with water to form aluminium oxide.
• Sol-gel process. A solution of aluminium isopropoxide is hydrolysed to form a gel. The gel is then dried and heated to produce aluminium hydroxide oxide.

What it is used for and where

Cosmetics

Antimicrobial agent. This ingredient is able to suppress or inhibit the growth and replication of a broad spectrum of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and viruses by making the stratum corneum temporarily bactericidal and fungicidal.

Cosmetic astringent. This ingredient exerts a direct effect on the skin by tightening dilated pores by contracting stratum corneum cells and removing superfluous oil.

Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment by restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants.

Skin protectant. It creates a protective barrier on the skin to defend it from harmful substances, irritants, allergens, pathogens that can cause various inflammatory conditions. These products can also improve the natural skin barrier and in most cases more than one is needed to achieve an effective result.

Safety

Aluminium can interfere with different biological processes (cellular oxidative stress, calcium metabolism, etc.), so it can induce toxic effects in different organs and systems, and the nervous system is the main target of its toxicity.

In the minimum quantities in which it is included in food or cosmetics, it is of no concern. Check for cumulative intake.

Other uses

• Pharmaceuticals. It is used as an adjuvant in vaccines to enhance the body's immune response to the vaccine.
• Catalysis. It is often used as a catalyst or catalytic support in the chemical industry. It can facilitate different chemical reactions, including those used in oil refining and the production of synthetic materials.
• Adsorbent. Due to its high surface area, it can trap molecules on its surface and is therefore useful for applications such as water purification and gas separation.
• Ceramic. This is a precursor for the production of alumina ceramics. These ceramics have high hardness and thermal stability, making them suitable for different applications, including electrical insulation and wear-resistant parts.
• Flame retardant. It can be used as a fire retardant. When heated, it releases water, which can help extinguish flames and prevent the spread of fire.
• Polishing compounds. Due to its hardness, it can be used in polishing compounds for glass, metals and semiconductors.

• Molecular Formula  AlHO₂
• Molecular Weight    59.988 g/mol
• CAS   11139-78-9
• UNII   NZO8Q0FP2E

Synonyms:

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