A method has been devised in which alumina can be formed into a layer of thin leaf-like structures that have a thickness of 0.2-0.8 mu m. This consists of a process in which aluminium iso-propoxide is transformed into a sol-gel and then: frozen (-195 degrees C), freeze-dried (-60 degrees C), and finally calcined (450 degrees C). These special conditions lead to the formation of a structure that is named: 'KK Leaves'. After calcining at 450 degrees C, the leaves have a specific surface area of 282 m(2)/g, an average pore size of 2.8 nm, and exhibit a curly shape. The structure has the appearance of a loosely packed (but ordered) collection of thin curly leaves with fine ribs resembling leaf veins on trees and plants. They would readily act as a support, e.g., for a catalyst, or adsorbents, or act as a membrane filter. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.