Effect of cosolvent organic molecules on the adsorption and structural properties of soft-templated ordered mesoporous alumina

► Aromatic expanders affect the properties of mesoporous alumina differently than silica. ► Pore width was only slightly increased by 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene (TMB) and TPB. ► Ordered mesoporous aluminas (OMAs) are obtained at lower amounts of TMB and TPB. ► These additives greatly improve the surface area, pore volume and microporosity of OMA.