The addition of zirconia to alumina can improve the chemical properties, mechanical
stability, acidity and surface area of alumina. The aim of this work is to evaluate the influence of
0.005 moles of zirconia addition to the structure and morphology of alumina powders by
combustion reaction. The compositions were called AP (alpha-Al2O3) and AZ (Zr0.005Al1.995O3) and
were prepared by using a silica container with direct heating on a hot plate at 480oC until selfignition.
The powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction and nitrogen adsorption by BET
analysis. The composition AZ showed high surface area (47 m2/g) and small crystallite size (60
nm). The alpha-alumina AP showed a wide agglomerates distribution with small agglomerates size
when compared with AZ composition.