Abstract: The present invention describes a new class of high porosity materials with aerogel properties, based on metal oxides and their composites, possessing a high surface area and a high pore volume distributed within a specific pore diameter range. The pore distribution is monomodal and the porosity of the material is greater than 80%, conferring aerogel properties thereon while the absence of micropores (pores less than 2 nm in diameter) confers a high thermal stability to these materials. The characteristics of the product, including a low, if not zero, macroporosity, confer on the material a low dustiness compared to conventional aerogels, thus enabling them to be used effectively in production cycles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to doped or undoped aluminas having after calcination at 1200° C. for 5-24 hours a pore volume ?0.5 ml/g and a BET surface area greater then 35 m2/g. The invention also relates to a method for preparing these aluminas comprising the steps of: a. preparing an aqueous solution of an aluminum salt with optional co-dopants, b. treating the aqueous solution with hydrogen peroxide, c. precipitating the alumina using a base, and d. filtering, drying and calcining the alumina.