A novel and simple method was developed to prepare alumina with suitable specific surface area and pore size distribution. First, AlCl3 center dot 6H(2)O and citric acid were heated without water in a water bath at 90 degrees C with stirring until a homogenous solution was obtained. Then starch was added into is solution. After the solution was dried at 110 degrees C and calcined at indicated temperature, activated alumina was obtained. The activated alumina was characterized by N-2 adsorption, X-ray diffraction, and NH3 temperature-programmed desorption. Compared with the usual technology, this novel preparation did not include some steps such as aging, filtering, and washing. Moreover, the specific surface area and pore size distribution of the activated alumina could be controlled and modified by changing the preparation parameters. The supported Ni/Al2O3 catalyst with the activated alumina as support showed higher activity for hydrogenation and hydrocracking of ethylbenzene
