BACKGROUND In order to improve the desulfurization and denitrification performance of Al2O3@TiO2-Ce adsorbent, ultrasound-assisted surface modification using different pore-forming agents (CTAB (Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide), NH4NO3, and Urea) was introduced into the preparation process of Al2O3@TiO2-Ce core-shell structure adsorbent. RESULTS Among the adsorbent modified by various pore-forming agent, CTAB modified Al2O3@TiO2-Ce adsorbent showed the best denitrification efficiency, and the ultrasound-assisted modification of CTAB had a positive effect on the removal efficiency of SO2 and NOx. The adsorption performance increased with the increase of addition amount of CTAB in the range of 5% to 10% but decreased with the increase of CTAB addition amount in the range of 10% to 20%. Petal-like wrinkles appeared on the surface of CTAB modified adsorbent, and the distribution of the pores on the surface was dispersed uniformly by ultrasound. CONCLUSION The petal-like wrinkle could effectively increase the specific surface area and pore volume of the adsorbent, and pore size distribution was more evenly, which was considered to be the key to improve the adsorption performance. The SO2 and NOx adsorption followed the pseudo-first order rate expression, and the adsorption process was limited by both external diffusion and intraparticle diffusion. This work provides an experimental and theoretical basis for the surface modification of simultaneous desulfurization and denitrification adsorbents. (c) 2020 Society of Chemical Industry