expensive catalyst material is dispersed over a surface of the inert alumina.

[132] Another principal

use is as a drying agent or absorbent.[116][133]

Laser deposition of alumina on a substrate

Several sulfates of aluminium have industrial and commercial application. Aluminium sulfate (in
its hydrate form) is produced on the annual scale of several millions of metric tons.[134] About
two-thirds is consumed in water treatment.[134] The next major application is in the manufacture of
paper.[134] It is also used as a mordant in dyeing, in pickling seeds, deodorizing of mineral oils, in
leather tanning, and in production of other aluminium compounds.[134] Two kinds of alum,
ammonium alum and potassium alum, were formerly used as mordants and in leather tanning,
but their use has significantly declined following availability of high-purity aluminium sulfate.[134]
Anhydrous aluminium chloride is used as a catalyst in chemical and petrochemical industries, the
dyeing industry, and in synthesis of various inorganic and organic compounds.[134] Aluminium
hydroxychlorides are used in purifying water, in the paper industry, and as antiperspirants.[134]
Sodium aluminate is used in treating water and as an accelerator of solidification of cement.[134]

Many aluminium compounds have niche applications, for example:

• Aluminium acetate in solution is used as an astringent.[135]

• Aluminium phosphate is used in the manufacture of glass, ceramic, pulp and paper
products, cosmetics, paints, varnishes, and in dental cement.[136]
• Aluminium hydroxide is used as an antacid, and mordant; it is used also in water
purification, the manufacture of glass and ceramics, and in the waterproofing of
fabrics.[137][138]
• Lithium aluminium hydride is a powerful reducing agent used in organic chemistry.[139][140]
• Organoaluminiums are used as Lewis acids and cocatalysts.[141]
• Methylaluminoxane is a cocatalyst for Ziegler–Natta olefin polymerization to produce
vinyl polymers such as polyethene.[142]
• Aqueous aluminium ions (such as aqueous aluminium sulfate) are used to treat against
fish parasites such as Gyrodactylus salaris.[143]