Process for the preparation of high surface area alpha alumina and the use thereof

A method comprising:

• (a) preparing a high-surface area nanoparticulate alpha alumina, having a BET surface area of at least 130 m2/g and having a particle size in the range of 1 to 50 nm measured by TEM, by a process comprising subjecting a precursor consisting of (A) γ-AlOOH·xH2O with x in the range of 0.1≤x≤0.5 and optionally (B) a metal and/or a metal compound to a milling process in a ball mill with a milling jar and balls in a weight ratio of balls to said γ-AlOOH·xH2O of 1 to 200 in a temperature range below the conversion temperature of nanocrystalline γ-AlOOH·xH2O to γ-Al2O3 to yield said high-surface area nanoparticulate alpha alumina as a milling product;
• and
• (b) using the high-surface area nanoparticulate alpha alumina prepared as catalyst or catalyst support for metal catalysts or in ceramics applications.