A novel MgO-based porous adsorbent has been synthesized in a facile co-precipitation method for the first time, in order to provide a candidate for trapping CO2 in flue gas at high temperature. The resulting composite exhibits a mesoporous structure with a wide pore size distribution, due to the even dispersion and distribution of microcrystalline MgO in the framework of alumina to form a concrete-like structure. These sorbents can capture CO2 at high temperature (150-400 degrees C), possessing high reactivity and stability in cyclic adsorption-desorption processes, providing competitive candidates to control CO2 emission. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.