Effect of surface acidity and basicity of aluminas on asphaltene adsorption and oxidation

► Alumina particles with varying surface acidity could be used for enhanced asphaltene adsorption and/or oxidation. ► Acidic alumina has high adsorption capacity for asphaltenes. ► Basic alumina has significant catalytic effect toward oxidation of asphaltenes. ► A correlation appears to exist between the adsorption affinity and the catalytic activity of aluminas, the higher the affinity for asphaltene adsorption.