This paper describes an alternative route for the production of a high-surface-area eta-Al2O3/Nb2O5 catalyst synthesized from aluminum waste and niobium ammonium oxalate (NH4H2[NbO-(C2O4)(3)]center dot 3H(2)O). The effects of thermal treatment on the morphology and crystal structure were examined by X-ray powder diffraction (XPD), surface area measurements (BET), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray fluorescence, dynamic scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG) measurement. The catalysts were evaluated in the glycerol dehydration reaction. Catalytic tests were carried out with reactants in gas phase with a fixed-bed reactor at 300 degrees and 400 degrees C. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.