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Abstract

The present invention relates to a porous aluminum oxide structure comprising Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and Zr, the structure having an open porosity greater than about 30% and an average pore size from about 20 nm to about 1000 nm, wherein the Zr, expressed as ZrO.sub.2, has a concentration less than about 5 weight % of the weight of the Al.sub.2 O.sub.3. The present invention also relates to a process for producing a porous aluminum oxide structure comprising Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and Zr, the structure having an open porosity greater than about 30% and an average pore size from about 20 to about 1000 nm, through doping alumina or precursors thereof with a doping effective amount of Zr, wherein the Zr, expressed as ZrO.sub.2, has a concentration less than about 5 weight % of the weight of the Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, the process comprising: introducing the Zr into the alumina or the precursors thereof, the Zr being selected from at least one ZrO.sub.2 powder, a solution of a Zr precursor, or mixtures thereof, by admixing the Zr with the alumina or the precursors thereof, forming a green body, drying the green body, and sintering the dried body to produce the porous aluminum oxide structure.

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First Claim