Effect of Calcination Temperature on the Structural and Textural Properties of MgAl2O4 Spinel Supports Synthesized by the Solution Combustion Method

In this study, MgAl2O4 spinel supports were synthesized via the solution combustion synthesis (SCS) method and subsequently calcined at 700, 800, and 900 °C to investigate the effect of calcination temperature on their structural and physicochemical properties. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed the multi-step decomposition behavior of the precursor, while Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the progressive formation and crystallization of the spinel phase with increasing temperature. Textural properties obtained from Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area measurements, together with morphological observations from field-emission scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (FESEM-EDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), demonstrated significant variations in particle size, morphology, and surface area across the calcination series. Among the examined temperatures, the support calcined at 800 °C exhibited the most favorable balance between crystallinity, particle size, and textural properties. These findings highlight the tunability of MgAl2O4 spinel supports through thermal treatment and provide essential insights for their use as robust support materials in catalytic CO2 conversion and methanation processes. MgAl2O4 spinel supports were synthesized via solution combustion using urea and metal nitrates. Calcination at 700–900 °C significantly affected crystallinity, particle size, and surface area. Supports were characterized by TGA, FT-IR, XRD, BET, FESEM-EDS, and TEM. The support calcined at 800 °C exhibited optimal surface area and structural stability. Results highlight the tunability of spinel supports for catalytic applications.