In this paper, a series of Al2O3 modified mesoporous ZrO2 (M-ZrAl) materials are designed and achieved through a one-pot EISA strategy. As proved by different characterizations, the introduced Al2O3 species exist as highly dispersed states, and the crystalline phase (t-ZrO2 and m-ZrO2) of M-ZrAl material could be accurately controlled through adjusting the content of Al2O3 species. Moreover, the M-ZrAl-10 material exhibits excellent textural properties (specific surface area (56 m(2) . g (1)), pore size (8.2 nm) and pore volume (0.13 cm(3) . g (1))) even treated at 800 degrees C. The obtained materials are employed as support for MoO3/M-ZrAl solid acid catalyst, and the relationship between catalytic performance (Friedel-Crafts alkylation, acetalization and esterification) and crystalline structure of support is specially explored. The result shows that the support with t-ZrO2 phase is beneficial for the formation of acid sites and enhancement of catalytic performance for the MoO3/M-ZrAl solid acid catalyst. (C) 2018 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. and The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.