Mapping the oxygen structure of γ-Al₂O₃ by high-field solid-state NMR spectroscopy

γ-Al₂O₃ is one of the most widely used catalysts or catalyst supports in numerous industrial catalytic processes. Understanding the structure of γ-Al₂O₃ is essential to tuning its physicochemical property, which still remains a great challenge. We report a strategy for the observation and determination of oxygen structure of γ-Al₂O₃ by using two-dimensional (2D) solid-state NMR spectroscopy at high field. 2D ¹⁷O double-quantum single-quantum homonuclear correlation NMR experiment is conducted at an ultra-high magnetic field of 35.2 T to reveal the spatial proximities between different oxygen species from the bulk to surface. Furthermore, 2D proton-detected ¹H-¹⁷O heteronuclear correlation NMR experiments allow for a rapid identification and differentiation of surface hydroxyl groups and (sub-)surface oxygen species. Our experimental results demonstrate a non-random distribution of oxygen species in γ-Al₂O₃.