The evolution of alumina coating layers on rutile TiO2 particle surfaces was investigated starting from aluminum sulfate by a chemical liquid deposition method. The morphology of the alumina coating layers was determined by transmission electron microscopy. The chemical structure and the evolution mechanism of the alumina coating layers on TiO2 surfaces were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and powder X-ray diffraction techniques. The dispersibility of the alumina-coated TiO2 powders was determined by dynamic laser scattering (DLS) mode. The alumina coating layers existed in boehmite phase, AlOOH, and anchored at the surfaces of TiO2 via Ti-O-Al bond. The formation of alumina coating layers on TiO2 surfaces depended on the pH value of the deposition solution and the alumina loading. After coated by alumina layer, the dispersibility, whiteness, brightness, and light scattering index of the resultant samples were promoted. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.