Self-assembled mesoporous γ-Al2O3 spherical nanoparticles and their efficiency for the removal of arsenic from water.

We report a highly efficient synthetic strategy for self-assembled mesoporous γ-Al(2)O(3) materials using sodium salicylate as template. The mesoporous γ-Al(2)O(3) samples synthesized following this strategy have high surface areas (231-497 m(2)g(-1)), consist of crystalline tiny spherical nanoparticles of dimensions ca. 2-10nm and showed high affinity for the adsorption of arsenic from the contaminated aqueous solutions. Efficient synthesis strategy, exceptionally high surface area and high adsorption efficiency of these mesoporous γ-Al(2)O(3) materials for the dissolved arsenic from the contaminated aqueous solutions (in the form of oxyanions of arsenic) could find potential utility in the purification of polluted water.